People Power 2017

This month of PSPD

As a season changes by the natural order, the wind starts to get chilly. People usually call the autumn the time of ‘the sky is high and clear and horses grow fat and sturdy’. Here is another idiom referring horses ‘Pushing horses to a greater speed’. Activities of PSPD last month was like whipping horses to run faster. Wishing for the government and the National Assembly not to miss what citizens hope for democracy, justice and peace, PSPD has been busy with urging what have to be urged, and checking and criticizing powers and groups which obstruct reform process. Followings are what PSPD has done last month.

Call for plaintiffs for damage and compensation lawsuit against unfair employment at Gangwon Land

Unjust employment scandal at Gangwon Land revealed last September made many people angry. In cooperation with youth groups, PSPD has reported Kwon Seong-dong and Yeom Dong-yeol of Liberty Korea Party on 27 September for the charge of inappropriate solicitation for employment. Prosecutors have already set their hands to reinvestigate the case but it is to give pressure for proper investigation.

Furthermore, PSPD has called for plaintiffs from 18 October who will file for damage and compensation against Gangwon Land. Applications will be received till the second week of November and it is open to people who had applied for High One trainee at the 1st job opening in 2012 and the 2nd in 2013. In addition to giving criminal punishment to the people who requested unfair employment and who were hired by that solicitation, those employers will be also asked for civil responsibilities for breaking the faith of job applicants who believed recruitment process would be fair. Please contact PSPD if you would like to take part in the legal action. 

Completed relaying legislation request to reform Election Law 

PSPD has been working for a long time to adopt mixed-member proportional voting system which allocates seats according to votes gained by party for the purpose of expanding freedom to expression of voters and rights to vote. This year, PSPD has formed ‘Joint Action for Political Reform’ with various social organizations and taken the charge of major clerical works.

Relaying legislation request made by various fields of our society started on 11 September and ended with women activists on 17 October. During the period, followings have been demanded. △ Make a law to give a right to vote to age 18 and straw vote △ Mixed-member proportional voting, Improve local election system △ Lower down age of eligibility for election and give quota to the youth △ Adopt mixed-member voting system for local councils △ Permit local parties and secure proportional seat allocation in local election △ Secure basic political rights to teachers and public servants △ Adopt mixed-member proportional voting, Secure transparency of political fund.

PSPD has participated in ‘Meeting for Public-Politic solidarity to reform election law’ on 27 September. Lawmakers from four major parties except Liberty Korea, and civil and social organizations came together for the discussion and agreed to put effort to adopt mixed-member proportional voting system. Participants include Lee Jong-geol and Kim Du-gwan of the Minju, Jeong Dong-young and Chun Jeong-bae, Park Ju-hyun of the People’s Party, Jeong Yang-seok of the Bareun Party and Sim Sang-jeong and Chu Hye-seon of the Justice Party. 

One year since Candle Civil Revolution began

As of 29 October, it became one year since outraged citizens at Park Geun-hye and Choi Sun-sil’s monopolizing national administration began to hold candles. For the first five months until impeachment of the president was decided, what the people have shown have impressed all of us and left in our hearts. Having the first anniversary of candle civil revolution, ‘Candles do not stop’ events and rallies were held on 28 October at Seoul Gwanghwamun Square by ‘Committee to commemorate records of action to dismiss’ succeeding ‘Action to dismiss’ which had looked after preparation and rallies of candle revolution. 

People’s Constitutional Revision Net held a discussion inviting advisors of Special Committee for Constitutional Revision

PSPD has established People’s Constitutional Revision Net (People Leading Constitutional Revision Network) on 12 October in collaboration with civil and social organizations and currently 119 organizations are participating nationwide.

Special Committee for Constitutional Revision in the National Assembly has been talking about ‘Public oriented constitutional revision’ and had toured provinces holding ‘National Forum’ but not in a way for ordinary citizens to conveniently participate. In addition, free speak out platform for constitutional revision was set up just at one corner of the National Assembly. Especially last February, the Committee did not accept advisors’ report drafted and submitted by 53 advisors from 6 departments and even refused to disclose the contents in despite of advisor groups were formed by the committee itself in order to listen different and broad opinions. Therefore, People’s Constitutional Revision Net has invited the advisors and held a discussion ‘Direction and issues of People Leading Constitutional Revision’ at 10am on Wednesday 18 October at a conference room of National Assembly Members Hall. Head of Policy Team gave a designated discussion.

Published employment status of retirees from financial authorities

There is a system to restrict and examine employment of retired public servants in order to prevent unjust acts or deal of public servants due to retire from giving favors to a company or organization for the purpose of getting a position after retirement, and to block possibility to exercise improper influence to government or public organizations. However, some point out restriction is too loose.

On 18 October, PSPD has released <Employment status of retirees from Ministry of Planning and Finance, Financial Service Commission and Financial Supervisory Service from 2011 to 2017>. From June 2016 to June 2017, 48 retirees were screened for eligibility of getting a position at financial or related institutes and 43, that is 90% received approval.

Peace actions to stop arms trade

Seoul ADEX (International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition) was nicely wrapped with air show, aerobatic flights, future-oriented weapons made by cutting-edge technology, events and exhibitions but the true face was homicide weapon market. Behind roaring sound of air show, there were arms traders from all over the world and autocratic states and countries at war were not exception.

‘Protest Actions against ADEX’ which PSPD and other peace organizations worked together described ADEX as below. International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition which is held from 17 to 22 October is named ADEX by Seoul Airport. The title sounds good but it is an exhibition of high-tech weapons.

PSPD picketed “Death Market ADEX, Stop war trading” on 16 October at a welcome reception which was held for arms traders. It also organized a lecture ‘Growth of Korean defense industry’ on the 18 and promotion campaign on 21 October at ADEX Exhibition entrance, Seongnam Seoul Airport for citizens who had visited the arms exhibition.

Run PSPD, Fly Democracy!

This month of PSPD

January and February are the period PSPD prepares for a general meeting reviewing past activities and planning for a new year. Naturally external activities and meetings are held at a minimum. Not much as candle protest for impeaching Park Geun-hye was held but PSPD has been very busy since early this year. The keywords of current activities include #Lee Myung-bak, #Lee Jae-yong, #Investigation Agency for High-Ranking Public Servants #PyeongChang Peace Olympic #Recruitment Corruption #Housing Benefit #Paris Baguette # Minimum Wage and #Constitutional Revision.

Investigate a former president Lee Myung-bak as soon as possible

Illegal acts and corruptions of another former president get released every day. One of core issues is who the real owner of DAS is. PSPD has reported Lee and others related last December and provided grounds suggesting Lee Myung-bak is the real owner of DAS. In addition, it presented an issue report criticizing poor investigation conducted by prosecutors and special prosecutors for the last eleven years. PSPD will urge and spur prosecutors to actively investigate various corruptions and allegations about Lee and get to the bottom. 

On the other hand, prosecutors recently informed PSPD that they have decided not to prosecute Lee in regard to secret military alliance with UAE, a serious violation of constitution. Last month, PSPD and 1,382 citizens reported Lee and Kim Tae-young a former defense minister to prosecutors but incomprehensible decision was made without having a single inquiry of accusers. Therefore, PSPD requested a ruling to Seoul High Court one day before statute of limitation expired in order to demand pressing charges.

What distress small business owner more than minimum wage

As soon as minimum hourly wage increased by 16.4% to 7,530 won in 2018, corporates and conservative media have started to put stress on burdens small business owners and self-employers have releasing negative articles on the wage increase. Hence, PSPD held a press conference in the line with Economy Democratization Network and denounced that it would mislead the people to think that small business owners oppose to rate increase itself. However, they said there are other difficulties more serious than minimum wage such as high rate of credit card fees, expensive loyalty to franchiser and agency commission, high margin paid to suppliers, high rent fee and unfair contract with building owners. In addition to raising minimum hourly wage to meet the basic standard of living, PSPD will also work for necessary policies and legislation for desperate small business owners including rooting-out unfair trade with Chaebol and large companies, improving profit share structure between franchisers and franchisees and prevention measure for surging rent fee.

Accused Yang Seung-tae, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of inspecting judges

PSPD and 1,080 citizens have accused a former chief justice Yang Seung-tae and responsible persons of inspecting judges last January for the charge of abusing authorities. Composing a document of inspecting judges means that National Court Administration which has judicial administration has infringed the independence of judge and trial secured in the constitution. PSPD considers it not tolerable. While there is a deep mistrust on judiciary, the truth has to be found by thorough investigation followed by punishing responsible persons. 

Presented Housing benefit status which fails to protect housing vulnerable class

and suggestions for improvement

It was desirable to abolish duty of supporting family standard from housing benefit scheme but current benefit is not sufficient to protect the right to live for housing vulnerable class. Hence, PSPD has released an issue report stating current status and improvement measures. The report shows that housing benefit paid to households living in private rental house is far less than an average monthly rent (202,000won in 2016) and households who receive benefit of less than 50,000won reaches 13.8%. In the most expensive residential area such as Seoul, 33% of tenants live in a smaller place than minimum dwelling size proving that housing vulnerable class live in a very poor environment. To increase the benefit up to the standard enough to secure the right to live, current rental fee standard also has to be raised and minimum benefit should be guaranteed by the law.

Lee Jae-yong on probation, Lee Geon-hee’s thousands of borrowed-name accounts,

No more generosity to Chaebol 

Judiciary should be ashamed of appeal decision on Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung. The second trial said not guilty for most charges reversing verdicts of the first trial ignoring the nature of the case, immoral cronyism between economic and political fields. Decision of appeal court judges of Lee Jae-yong is partly different from judges for Choi Sun-sil trial but bribery charges against Samsung was applied at minimum comparing with Shin Don-bin, a chairman of Lotte Group case. The court regarded that bribes were forced to give or passively delivered. Therefore, PSPD strongly denounced the court’s decision and held an urgent discussion to review the ruling. It posted full text of the first and the second ruling on PSPD’s website for citizens to read and comment.

More than 260 Lee Geon-hee’s borrowed-name accounts under names of 72 Samsung executives were additionally discovered besides what Cho Jun-woong, Samsung special prosecutor and Financial Supervisory Service found. Proper investigation on endlessly borrowed-name accounts must be carried out and the responsible persons should be punished accordingly by the law. Furthermore, PSPD urges to inspect National Tax Service for not levying taxes properly, and swift taxing and examining Lee Geon-hee for eligibility as a major shareholder should follow.

Urged to continue to cease military actions in Korean Peninsula after Pyeongchang Olympic

Taking Pyeongchang Olympic as an opportunity, military tension in Korean peninsula has disappeared and talks have started. North Korea shows strong will to improve South-North relationship and Korean government is trying hard to make North Korea and US to talk. However, there are worries that tension of military conflicts could revive after the Olympic. PSPD suggested standpoint to Civil and Peace organizations and presented followings. Military actions in Korean Peninsula such as Korea-US military drill and testing nuclear missile of North Korea must be stopped. North Korea and US must talk and negotiate. Demands of Korean civil society for stopping military actions and the peace would be delivered to US administration and parliament and they will jointly work with international peace organizations.

Experience solidarity and cooperation while resolving Paris Baguette illegal dispatch matter

Problems with Illegal dispatch of Paris Baguette issued last year have been resolved that non-regular workers union and Paris Baguette headquarter have reached an agreement on 11 January. It became settled within two months since Civil and social organizations Committee in which PSPD participated was formed in last November. They failed to agree on direct employment by the headquarter but there have been solidarity and cooperation among concerned subjects from discussing various ways of employment that requires guarantee of the headquarter till reaching the agreement. PSPD has also made big contribution in the process and submitted a letter of opinion in respect to reform of Employment Insurance Act which Ministry of Labor and Employment announced to legislate. Regarding the bill prepared by the government, PSPD comments that increasing unemployment benefit from 50% to 60% of average wage and extending payment period (30 days) meet strengthening security but there should be considerate approach in setting the lowest limit to 80% of minimum wage because almost 70% of recipients would get the lowest benefit. 

External pressure on investigating Kangwon Land’s corrupted recruitment,

the reason why Special Investigation Agency is required.

Even though most citizens support for establishing special investigation agency for high-ranking public officials, it is not making any progress because Liberty Korea Party hinders. Judicial Reform Special Committee was passed the National Assembly last year for the purpose of discussing the set up but it has wasted time doing nothing until agreement was made between ruling and opposition party to receive reports from five government agencies including Ministry of Justice, Supreme Prosecutors Office and National Court Administration for one month starting from 23 February. Moreover, the Minjoo Party looks incompetent to stop boycott of Liberty Korea Party.

PSPD started signature campaign to make the Judicial Reform Special Committee to work and get the National Assembly to pass the bill of establishing investigation agency. While there is a high demand for reform of prosecutors’ office, Ahn Mi-hyeon, a prosecutor at Chuncheon office has exposed that there was external pressure on the investigation of Kangwon Land’s corrupted recruitment. She was asked to delete the list of evidences on which Kwon Seong-dong, Yeom Dong-yeol from Liberty Korea Party and the name of chief prosecutor at that time appeared. Names like Choi Jong-won, a chief prosecutor of Chuncheon Office and Kim Soo-nam prosecutor-general are also mentioned in this case. Suspicions have been consistently raised for poor investigation and politicians and prosecutors jointly tried to cover it up. These clearly explains why investigation agency for high-ranking official is required in deed.

PSPD is demanding to find the truth through state inspection or special prosecutors if someone connived at Yeom and Kwon,and there were external pressures. PSPD has filed a claim for damage compensation last December and started to protest against Liberty Korea Party lawmakers including Kwon and Yeom who asked unfair favors to Kangwon Land and commercial banks in which 22 cases of unfair recruitment have been confirmed. Youth PSPD and various youth organizations strongly denounced corruptions in front of KEB Hana Bank which has the highest number of wrong recruitment cases and demanded to withdraw unfair employment and revived victims. They also held a press conference urging prosecutors to carry out strict investigation and give a reasonable punishment.

Urge to adopt Universal Children’s Allowance

Finally, Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly passed the bill to give child benefit excluding top 10% income household. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said to push forward for universal benefit but failed to get agreement from oppositions including Liberty Korea Party. A welfare system which separates tax payers and recipient is not sustainable. It did not consider administrative waste and hindrance to social integration which would be caused by excluding top 10%. In respect to this, PSPD and many childcare institutions and organizations are consistently demanding the government and the National Assembly to adopt universal children’s allowance as promised at the last presidential election. In coming general election, citizens will be informed of parties and politicians that are in charge of distorted child benefit.

The heavy penalty on Park Geun-hye is a due consequence

6. April. 2018

Today the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Settlement Section 22 (chief judge: Kim Se-yoon) sentenced former President Park Geun-hye in the first trial to 24 years in prison and 18 billion won in fines. It is a due result of abusing the authority entrusted by the people, and of forcing and taking bribes that exceed 23 billion won. Park Geun-hye has never apologized to the people, denied all the allegations, and boycotted even the trial. The heavy penalty on Park Geun-hye, who shows no self-reflection, is a natural consequence. The imposed sentence to her is never heavy compared to the enormous national confusion she created, anger and despair to the people, and the effort to be made to correct the reversed democracy in Korea. 

The Court convicted Park Geun-hye of 16 among the 18 charges and recognized her involvement with abuse of power and coercion. The court clarified that Park Geun-hye is guilty of undermining the Constitution and severely violating laws by conspiring with Choi Soon-sil in pursuing private profit through corporations and engaging in discrimination and disadvantage against people who are critical of her government. However, just as in Choi Soon-sil’s first trial, that the court did not recognize the ‘explicit or implicit solicitation’ for the Samsung’s family succession is a very unsatisfactory part because the judgment has reduced the collusive links between politics and business, the essence of the monopoly of state affairs.

It has been one year since the presidential impeachment. With first trial sentence today, we have made another step forward to a new nation. The constitutional spirit has been confirmed once again: All power comes from the people. This, however, was only the first trial of Park Geun-hye, the main culprit in the state monopoly. Samsung's long-standing illegal activities, inextricably linked to state power, have not been properly punished yet. In addition, Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong has recently been released by the judgement that ignored justice and the rule of law. The judgments to be followed at the second trials and the Supreme Court against Park Geun-hye and the related criminals should be in accordance with justice and the rule of law. The People’s Solidarity of Participatory Democracy (PSPD) will continue to monitor and examine the trials to be followed to ensure the criminals of state monopoly are punished appropriately.

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