[Photo] KCTU hunger strike calls for release of imprisoned labor leader

The Secretary General of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Lee Young-ju, staged a hunger strike at the Minjoo Party offices in the Yeouido District of Seoul along with other union members on Dec. 18. The KCTU is calling for the release of its president, Han Sang-gyun, who was given a five year prison sentence in Dec. 2015 for his role in leading protests against the Park Geun-hye administration. A number of international human and labor rights groups, including Amnesty International and the International Labour Organization, have also called for Han’s release. “A true effort to eradicate deep-rooted vices has to start with this problem of imprisoning and persecuting workers,” said Lee. The KCTU is also calling for a suspension of amendments to the Labor Standards Act, and for the government to guarantee the right to unionize to all workers.