[photo] A melon plant for hope and justice atop a smokestack 75m high

Hong Gi-tak, former president of the FineTek chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU), and Park Jun-ho, the chapter’s secretary-general, are currently holding a sit-down on top of a smokestack 75m high to demand that the company keeps its promise to guarantee employment. The sit-down has been ongoing since Nov. 12, 2017. Park recently sent a styrofoam box where a melon vine is growing as an indication of his determination and hope. The melon seed was gifted to the union by family members of victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy on June 2. Written on the side of the box is the message, “Until the day we can return to work.”