The KCTU is also demanding investigations into the conduct of chaebol magnates and corrupt government officials, holding out the illusory prospect of somehow democratically restructuring the economic order to secure social justice. In reality, Kim, elected late last year with the support of the unions, was always committed to satisfying the demands of Korean big business, which are incompatible with the needs of the masses of working people. With the help of the unions, Kim has traded on his reputation as a pro-democracy dissident under the previous military regimes to demand acceptance of sweeping cuts in social conditions. His capacity to do so is being rapidly exhausted. In its statement calling this week's general strike, the KCTU said the country was at a crossroads.
Korean workers are certainly at a crossroads.
Having built the KCTU unions as militant organisations of struggle in the 1980s to fight the military dictatorship, they face a government using equally repressive measures as the generals, and find their unions still seeking an agreement with that government. The WSWS invites your comments. Please send e-mail .