People Power! 
This month at PSPD 
 

The last April was such a great and wonderful month. At the same time, it was the time for a grief and memory. The PSPD, the 416 Solidarity and the 2016 General Election Citizens Network had appealed for “Remember 416, Vote on 413” and their efforts were not in vain.

Sending the April of joy and sorrow, PSPD will work to wrap up the 19th National Assembly and prepare for the 20th in order to regain diminishing democracy, people’s livelihood, peace, truth and human rights.

 
Inappropriate connection of pro-Government far right organizations, the Korea Employers Federation and the Blue House

Since few years ago, far right organizations such as ‘Parents Union’ have led counter-rallies to defend government’s position and oppose demonstrations criticizing the government. Now, it has been revealed one after another that there have been inappropriate connections among far right organizations, the Korea Employers’ Federation, the Blue House and the National Intelligence Service. They have committed a crime alluring people with money and the power so that must be punished for violation of the positive law. Most of all, it is a serious antisocial crime which fundamentally threatens the Democracy system by manipulating public opinions and defending the government that it deserves a strong punishment.

Demand to abolish <Enforcement of Ordinance of the Anti-Terrorism Act>, an evil law to watch citizens under the excuse of terror prevention

The Anti-terrorism Act is one of typical evil laws which the president pressurized a national assembly president to put it to a vote by discharging power despite of oppositions’ filibuster and the people’s protests. Furthermore, problems have been found also in enforcement of ordinance of the Act. Hence, PSPD and human rights and civil organizations have demanded to abolish the Terror Prevention Act, and tried to inform the people with associated problems in April.

The notice to legislate the enforcement of ordinance of the Terror Prevention Act expands the authority of the National Intelligence Service under the excuse of responding to terrors but there is no control measure to check. No regulation to minimize violating human rights is included. The National Intelligence Service is establishing and leading special agencies including Terror Information Integration Center, Counter-terror Joint Investigation Team, Regional Terror Measure Council and Terror Measure Council for airports and ports but specific information such as number of human resources, organization structure and activities are concealed. It is very dangerous to give an authority to the National Intelligence Service to control public and administrative agencies.   

It can set up 10 special agencies which are not defined by the law. The Army can be mobilized according to the enforcement of ordinance not the Act. There is no control system for throwing counter terror special forces of the Ministry of Defense into an operation against civilians. A human rights defender is powerless like a scarecrow. Procedures to make a complaint and how to process it are not stated and defenders are not entitled to investigate infringements of human rights of counter terror organizations. This Terror Prevention Act must be abolished in the early period of the 20th National Assembly.

Yoosung Corporation participates in the Joint Countermeasure Committee and works together

Issues concerning Yoosung Corporation, an auto parts supplier to the Hyundai Motors are breaking out constantly. Labor Society and Human Rights and Civil organizations have made <Punish labor union destroyers Yoosung Corporation and capital of the Hyundai Motors! Victory of the deceased Han Gwang-ho! The Civil Countermeasure Committee> on 4 April and started their activities. As shown by the name, one employee has committed suicide in March after suffering from labor union destructing operations, unfair labor treatment and bulling.

As a participant in this committee, the Labor and Social Committee of the PSPD has urged Yoosung to stop destructing the union, take a prevention measure and punish the responsible. In addition, it is asking to provide psychological treatment for depression, adjustment disorder caused by union destructing operations. To the Ministry of Employment and Labor, it has demanded a special inspection on cruel human resource management of Yoosung Corporation and epidemiological research on damages incurred by maltreating employees.

We truly wish infringements of three basic labor rights defined in the Constitution to disappear from this society. 
 

Police and the National Election Commission reported and investigated the 2016 General Election Network

In regard to activities of the 2016 General Election Network, the Seoul office of the National Election Commission has reported two officers of the Network and the Kyeongju branch has reported nine bereaved families of Yongsan disaster and human rights activists. Moreover, the Police are excessively investigating three people on matters the commission even does not point out. As stated above, at least 14 people have been reported or under investigation concerning activities on ‘To vote or not to vote for unqualified candidates’. 

The Seoul branch reported the Network for executing an opinion poll and failed to report. The Network has selected the worst candidate and the best policy by online votes of the people throughout the country and presented the list but it was just a survey event not an opinion poll which to be reported by the law. It has followed a direction of the National Election Commission not to distribute documents in which names of candidates and parties are mentioned but still has been reported. Therefore, the 2016 General Election Network and legal advisor group of the Network are actively dealing with arbitrary interpretation of the Commission, absurd report, and unfair and excessive investigation of the Police. Not only providing pro bono, PSPD will firmly respond it by raising systematic and legal problems with the Election Law and the Election Commission.

Become a member for the 416 Solidarity

Having the second memorial of Sewol Ferry Disaster, PSPD has installed a structure of a ship wishing for salvaging the Sewol Ferry and finding the truth. It carried out the campaign season 2 “Make the Sechon road with yellow” and many people joined in making yellow ribbons and badges having promised not to forget. 

One of the ways you can stay with bereaved families of the Sewol Ferry disaster is becoming a member of the 416 Solidarity and it can be done easily by visiting http://416act.net. The PSPD is actively cooperating with them since the establishment. You can also listen to a podcast ‘The voice of 416’ at http://www.podbbang.com/ch/10950. You would find ourselves truly emphasize and cooperate through the sorrow.