People Power 2017
This month of PSPD
 

PSPD’s 23rd Anniversary reception was held on 14 September and more than 400 members and citizens have come to celebrate. Once more, it was the time to bear in mind what PSPD as a civil organization exists for. ‘What citizen’s dream will come true’ as the motto of the anniversary reception says, PSPD will work hard to make members and citizens dream for the better society and the more peaceful world. The first anniversary of the candle revolution is around the corner. PSPD will do the best for the candle revolution started with the first action of the people on 29 October last year in Cheonggye square to advance democracy and improve real daily life of ordinary people. We hope you have fruitful and great Chuseok holiday and autumn.  

 
The facts of Beak Nam-ki, a deceased farmer case must be investigated this time

On behalf of the government, a Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon made a formal apology on 19 September in respect to the case of Beak Nam-ki, a deceased farmer who was stroke and dead by water cannon shot by the police. Lee defined the case as abusing entrusted power given by the people and took a life and said to conduct complete investigation and ask legal responsibility. Furthermore, he promised to reform system and culture to prevent same kinds of unfortunate accidents. It seems late but what has to be done. PSPD released comments right after the apology and urged to find the truth, punish the responsible and improve the system to prevent further cases. No one should become a victim of government’s violence any more.  

 

‘National Network for people to lead constitutional revision (provisional)’ established

While special committee for constitutional revision in the National Assembly is touring across the nation to hold discussions on revision of the constitution, civil societies have established preparation committee <National Network for people to lead constitutional revision> after having discussions for two months. What the network emphasizes is to secure actual participation of ordinary citizens in revision process and the contents should be oriented to increase not only basic rights but also social and economic rights. PSPD will try to respond well to constitutional revision issue which could seriously affect the future of Korea.

 

Allies with KBS and MBC union to straighten up public broadcasting

From midnight 4 September onwards, KBS and MBC unions have gone on strike urging to straighten up public broadcasting and overnight rally is being held every Friday. From hundreds to thousands of people participate in rallies shouting ‘MBC, KBS! Please come back’. PSPD also released a statement supporting actions of unions and is joining in Friday rallies. The strikes of two major broadcasters sparked empathy of the people that various fields of our society said to support and fight together demanding to return public broadcasting service back to normal which have been destroyed by Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administration. Civil Candle Revolution can be completed by rooting out corruptions and malpractices. Most of all, the press which have deceived and disguised the eyes and ears of the people must be cleaned off. Wish for the victory of ‘MBC, KBS! Please come back’

Court rules to disclose special activity expenses of the National Assembly 

PSPD won another important lawsuit for public interest. Seoul Administrative Court ruled that “special activity expenses of the National Assembly needs to be disclosed in terms of satisfying people’s right to know and securing transparency and legitimacy of lawmakers’ activities. Rejecting an argument of secretariat office of the National Assembly that disclosing special activity expense account would harm important benefit of the state, the court pointed out there is no check and control over from budget allocation to execution that it needs to open the expenditure to the people in principle.

 

Hence, PSPD urges the secretariat office to accept the court’s decision and transparently disclose it. In relation to this, there is ‘Committee to promote giving up lawmakers’ privileges’ under speaker of National Assembly and PSPD also requested the speaker in October 2016 to prepare measures to decrease special activity costs and increase transparency of execution. The secretariat office should try to abolish special activity account or clearly open how it is spent if truly necessary to execute.

 

 

Condolence to Cho Young-sam, an advocate of peace who opposed THAAD and the war

 

Cho Young-sam set fire to himself and died on 20 September. He left a letter protesting against THAAD deployment for US Army in Korea and appealed to realize the peace in Korean peninsula and proper reform. Together with National Action to stop THAAD deployment in Korea, Seongju residents Committee for THAAD withdrawal from Sosung, Kimcheon citizens Committee for No THAAD deployment, Won Buddhism emergency Committee for protecting Seongju, Daeju and Gyeongbuk Committee for No THAAD deployment, Busan Ulsan and Kyungnam Committee, Seongju Struggle Committee for THAAD withdrawal, Won Buddhism Civil Society Network, PSPD presented a condolence statement on 20 September expressing deep sorrow for such a mournful incident. They also held a press conference and demanded to withdraw THAAD deployment to both Korea and US governments.

On the other hand, it was the 400th day on 24 September since Kimcheon residents started candle rally against THAAD. PSPD activists and members also held a candle rally in Seoul on the same day. THAAD threatens the peace in Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia and there is no benefit but harm. Hence, PSPD will continue fighting to withdraw THAAD deployment. Once more, we would like to pay condolence to Cho Young-sam who tried to be priming water for THAAD withdrawal and the peace.

 
 

Request to investigate corrupted recruitment of public organizations and punish the responsible

 

A scandal frustrating the young Korean occurred again. The Board of Audit and Inspection announced the result of inspecting governance and human resource management of public organizations on 5 September and said more than 100 people have been unjustly hired to public organizations. Especially 493 out of 518 got a job at Gangwon Land by improper solicitation and the Hankyoreh Daily exposed it on 11 September. It has been found that secretaries of Kwon Seon-dong, a lawmaker of Liberty Korea Party have been recruited at Gangwon Land and Mine Reclamation Corporation and a suspicion rose for a niece of Lee Jeong-hyun, a former president of Saenuri Party for getting a job at Korea Aviation Industry by the backdoor.

While thousands of young people are having trouble in finding a job, young job seekers would deeply feel lost and deprived. Hence, Youth PSPD urged to investigate it strictly and punish people involved in requesting and accepting recruitment favor including Kwon Seon-dong and Lee Jeong-hyun, and reported them to the prosecutors jointly with Youth Union and other youth organizations on 25 September. The Youth PSPD has reported Choi Kyung-hwan, a lawmaker of Liberty Party Korea last year who illegally requested pubic corporation to hire his interns. Corrupted recruitment solicitation must be rooted out.

 

Joint Action for Political Reform submitted a petition to appeal three agenda and eleven tasks regarding to politic relation law

“Politic! Please listen to what people say!” <Joint Action for Political Reform> consisted of 422 labor, civil and social organizations nationwide presented three agenda and eleven tasks on 12 September and submitted a petition accordingly to the National Assembly Law. In the petition, the Joint Action argued that impeachment of a president proved that political system needs to improve fundamentally. Keys of representative democracy are election law and political party law associated with that election law that democracy cannot be realized without having the right system. In addition, it suggested three agenda including reforming the election law as people demand, diversity and increasing female participation and expanding the right to participate making everyone’s politic possible.

In terms of reforming the election law as people demand, it suggests followings △ Adopt mixed member proportional voting △ Increase number of seats of lawmakers without budget increase △Secure proportionality for local government council △ Adopt runoff for presidential and local governor elections. Regarding to diversity and expanding female participation, proposals are as below. △Mitigate political party establishment conditions and acknowledge local political party △strengthen female proportion system, △ Abolish numbering party, and lower down deposit of candidates and election costs conservation level. In respect to ‘Expand the right to vote to make everyone’s politic possible, followings are recommended △Secure the right to vote and eligibility for election to age 18 or older, and guarantee political activities of the youth, △Secure the right to expression of voters including abolition of Article 93 of the Election Law, △Guarantee basic political rights for teachers and public servants, △ Secure the right to vote including extending voting hours.
 

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.

People Power 2018

This Month of PSPD

 

 

 

The New Year has come. Best wishes for a happy new year and I hope you all share happiness with neighbors. There have been lots of changes in our society in 2017 and we have sincerely dreamt for those changes. By and with the power of the people, PSPD has been trying to make people’s dream come true. It will work harder to make more changes and try to be with more citizens in 2018. Let me introduce what PSPD has done in December 2017 as follow.

 

 

Wrap up 2017, Plan for 2018

In 2017, PSPD has taken down Park Geun-hye administration with and by the power of the people. Prosecutors Office Act has been reformed that expedient dispatching prosecutors to the office of the President is prohibited. The Ministry of Justice is cutting out connections with prosecutors step by step. Anti-corruption Act has been changed to protect teachers who report corruptions in private schools. Entrance fee to tertiary educational institutes is abolished and Yongsan horse racing screen gambling is closed. Children’s allowance is established and corporate tax is increased for top companies in terms of sales. Patriot education of the Ministry of Defense is stopped which only focused on confrontation of South and North Korea and hostility to each other. The government has withdrawn the claim for damage from Gangjeong residents who protested against Jeju Naval Base construction.

 

The above are all what PSPD has demanded and worked for a long time, and there are still more to mention. These achievements are partly because a new government is inclined to progressive but aren’t possible without consistent efforts of PSPD. Wrapping up 2017 and planning for 2018 have started since mid-December last year. The first discussion of General Meeting Preparation Committee was held on 11 December. Colleting opinions and hearings for members will be held in January 2018 and I hope you all participate in the process.

 

 

Public hearing held at Constitutional Court to review constitutionality of ‘Packet monitoring’

PSPD opposes to indiscriminate information collecting executed by National Intelligent Service and investigation authorities. In the line with this, PSPD has requested to review constitutionality of NIS’s packet monitoring to the Constitutional Court in March 2016 in cooperation with Jinbo Network Center and Catholic Human Rights Council. Packet Monitoring, a new term to most citizens is watching internet line itself. In other word, it allows to see and hear all activities done using the internet by a target subject. The bigger problem is anyone who shares the internet with a target subject regardless of wired or wireless are at risk to exposure.

 

After 22 months passed since the request for constitutionality, public hearing was held on 14 December at the Constitutional Court. PSPD, Minbyun and Jinbo Network have explained to judges why packet monitoring is a violation of constitution. NIS’ packet monitoring must stop because all digital private life in the internet can be watched.

 

 

One-person demonstration relayed to change the Election Law

During 2017, PSPD has been a core organization of <Joint Action for Political reform> which works together to reflect people’s opinions in reforming the Election Act. It has asserted seat allocation according to votes gained by party (Mixed-member proportional representation system), change of restrictions concerning the right to vote such as lowering down voting age and abolition of Article 90 and 93 of the Election Act which regulate voter’s right to expression. However, it has been blocked by sluggish politicians and conflicts of interests. Hence, PSPD and civil organizations carried out one-person demonstration relay in front of the National Assembly and Liberty Party Korea during December. In addition, PSPD requested constitutional decision on 13 December 2017 in respect to limiting voting franchise to 19 years old of age or above of the Public Official Election Act.

 

 

Urged to pass reform legislation and denounced Liberty Party Korea 

Liberty Party has refused to review the bill of establishing an investigation bureau for high-ranking public officers since 21 November. It is one of measures to reform prosecutors and to clean up corruptions related to power and authority. PSPD has suggested adoption of a special investigation bureau in 1996 for the first time but it had faced organizational resistance of the Ministry of Justice and prosecutors all the time. However, it is an election promise of Moon administration and resistance of prosecutors are much weaker now. Nevertheless, it has failed to pass the National Assembly because of opposition of Liberty Party.

Therefore, PSPD has executed intense actions urging Liberty Party to participate in the bill review and to pass it to establish an investigation bureau for high ranking public officers.  

 

 

2017 Public Whistle Blowers’ Night and Righteous Citizen Award

<2017 Public whistle Blowers’ Night and Righteous Citizen Award> was held at the Seoul Press Center on 1 December. PSPD has held Public Whistle Blowers Night since 2010 in order to remind importance of whistle blowing for public interests and express gratitude to their courageous actions. Furthermore, PSPD also has made Righteous Citizen Award to remember their courage and sacrifice.

The awardees of 2017 are Jeong Hyun-sik and his family (spouse Lee Jeong-sook and son Eui-gyeom) who reported corruptions and connections of Choi Sun-sil, Cheongwadae and K Sports Foundation to the Hankyeroh, Kim Gwang-ho who exposed engine defects and failure of executing recall of Hyundai Motors, Shin In-sool who reported illegal distribution of maritime bunker C oil, Kim Eun-sook who exposed wrong expenditure of subsidies by Jeju branch of Korea Legal Aid Center for Family Relations and Lee Myung-yoon who revealed Gwangju nursing home’s concealment of beating dementia patients.

 

Reported DAS slush fund to identify real owner

PSPD and Minbyun have filed a bill of indictment to the prosecutor office on 7 December in regard to slush fund of DAS which is suspected to be owned by a former president Lee Myung-bak. Allegations are embezzlement and tax evasion of Lee Sang-eun, a CEO of DAS and real owner whose name is unknown. Jeong Ho-young, a former BBK special prosecutor is also reported for the charge of neglecting his duty by conniving illegal acts.

Recently, following allegations have been raised by several media. △ In early, 2008, 12 billion won was found from 43 accounts owned by 17 people and it has been deposited to DAS accounts by transferring to other names or depositing again after closing accounts △ Despite Jung Ho-young, a special prosecutor has confirmed borrowed name accounts, he covered it up under the condition of depositing them to DAS accounts △ Accounting treated it as internal transfer from DAS corporation in overseas

 

12 billion won taken care by accounts under 17 names is likely to be a slush fund of Lee Myung-bak who is consistently suspected as a real owner of DAS. If that is true, Lee must be punished for embezzlement in aggravated punishment of specific economic crimes or tax evasion in aggravated punishment of specific crimes. Most of all, if Jung Ho-young found the facts but connived it, he also committed a serious crime.

 

This case was allocated to Seoul Central Prosecutors Office in the first place. However, Yoon Seok-yeol was just one of superintendent public prosecutors dispatched to Jung’s BBK Special Prosecutor Team in 2008 and investigation on slush fund including finding a real owner of DAS did not make progress because of various reasons. Fortunately, an investigation team is formed at Eastern office of prosecutors and has started working on 26 December. Besides reporting to the prosecutors, PSPD has reported DAS and real owner to National Tax Service for evading corporate and income tax and requested Financial Service Commission to investigate allegation on borrowed name accounts which seem to be actually owned by DAS and take following action to correct it. 

 

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.

 

 

This Month of PSPD

 

January/February 2020

 

Inquiry of exercising and preparing active stockholder’s rights of National Pension according to stewardship code

In July 2018, as the Ministry of Health and Welfare adopted “Principles on Institutional Investor’s Fiduciary Duties”(Stewardship Code), it announced that by 2020 all preparation for active stockholder’s rights would be ready. However, the ministry has been maintaining a passive attitude toward the backlashes against the code from the business sector. The National Pension hasn’t responded even though HYOSUNG, DAELIM, and other groups have engaged in continuous embezzlement and breach of trust. On the contrary, it has been making worrisome decisions like transferring the voting rights to consigned operators that are not free from the influences of the major companies. 

 

With regard to this, the Center for Economic and Financial Justice has openly inquired about the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Pension Service’s performance, preparations, and future plans for carrying out stockholder’s activities according to the stewardship. The center has also urged the institutions to ask for reforms related to problematic companies, to exercise the veto to problematic director candidate’s serve of consecutive terms, to recommend independent outside director candidates, and to proactively confront the voting rights’ commission. 

 

The pension funds of the U.S. that stand at the forefront of capitalism are actively implementing stewardship codes. While the business sector is resisting by pointing to this as “pension socialism,” this is ill-naturedness that wants investment but no interference. The voting rights of National Pension are protected by the Commercial Law. In operating the pension, which consists of people’s retirement savings, the business sector should not be the only influential parties among those involved. 

 

Since there is not enough time to prepare until the regular meeting of shareholders (March of this year) PSPD will also do our best for the Ministry of Health and Welfare and National Pension Service to focus on the establishment and implementation of the stewardship code.

 

 

Issue report: Apartments of Seoul - Increased Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax in contrast to 2018-2019 market price increase, only 0.8%

Is controversy against “immense” Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax reasonably backed? According to the analysis of 24,450 houses that exceed the price of 900 million won per household, the total real estate tax in 2019 increased by 820,000 won from the previous year. The average real estate tax for this year increased by 210,000 won.

 

While 60% of those objected to this tax is within the section where the tax ratio hasn’t increased through the amendment process of the tax law, the increased tax from these houses is only an average of 250,000 won. Comparing this to how much house prices have increased over a single year, this is absurdly low.

 

On the other hand, the 4,906 houses that have been traded between Jan and Sept of 2019, exceeding over 900 million won, showed a price increase of 14.35 million won compared to the previous year. The change in the amount of tax was about 670,000 won. The average change in the comprehensive real estate tax compared to the increase in the market price is only 0.8%. 

 

Even though the comprehensive real estate tax code have been strengthened in 2018, the tax burden is too low to suppress speculative demands for real estate. The Center for Tax Reform will continue to act to prevent real estate speculations and just taxation to unearned income.

Candlelight movement against U.S.’s unreasonable cost of U.S. military presence

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Negotiations on the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) are underway to determine the share of US Forces in Korea in 2020. As reported, the U.S. has demanded ROK pay $5 billion (6 trillion Korean won), which is six times the amount in 2019 (1.04 trillion won). According to the Status of Forces Agreement between ROK and the U.S., the US is responsible for stationary fees, while ROK is to only supply facilities and land. Going further, the U.S. is demanding the spectrum beyond what SMA framework covers: labor costs, logistics costs, and construction costs. 

 

It has been reported that Washington is asking Seoul to cover U.S. costs for personnel and their families, joint training sessions, equipment operations like THAAD, rotation of deployment, and exercises outside of ROK but related to the defense of the Korean peninsula. This is to pass on the costs of carrying out the global hegemonic strategy, including the costs of the India-Pacific strategy, to Korea. It is a threat to peace in East Asia beyond the Korean Peninsula.

 

The PSPD Center for peace and disarmament held a panel discussion at the National Assembly last November exploring the fundamental problems of the SMA and ways to deal with the 11th Agreement. In December, civil society organizations including PSPD held two candlelight movements at Gwanghwamun square to denounce the U.S. for imposing unfounded defense costs for the U.S. military presence in Korea.

Tongin Newsletter, November 2015

Happy participation, Heartwarming solidarity _ This month of the PSPD

 

 

 

● Presented bills that must be passed or rejected during the last general session of the 19th National Assembly 

▶ All activity groups of the PSPD participated to select 37 legislative agendas and policies in 10 sectors and presented them on 19 October for the 19th National Assembly to pass or reject at the last general session. Especially, PSPD urged to pass bills concerning to help people’s lives including [Housing Lease Protection Act] and reject retrogressive revisions such as [Labor Standard Act] which would worsen labor conditions.
 

● ‘The Rulings Reading Club’ is being held successfully
▶ The Judiciary Watch Division of PSPD held the first gathering of the Rulings Reading Club. The first ruling chosen was the decision of the Eastern branch of Busan Court made October last year. It confirmed for the first time that the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company was responsible for the cause of malignant tumor of thyroid gland broke to a resident living nearby Gori nuclear power plant.

 

 

● ‘Eul (the weak)’s ballot is in progress nationwide by both on and off line.
▶ A ballot is in progress throughout the nation asking Euls of our society whether labor policy of Park Geun-hye government is a reform or retrogression. Labor policies in question are easy dismissal, extension of irregular working terms and disadvantageous change of wages and working conditions. More than thousands ballot booths are set up in streets, offices including the PSPD office. 

 

● Joint Press Conference of civil society on retrogressing labor policy of Park Geun-hye government and Saenuri Party
▶ The people are swiftly acknowledging that changing labor law of Park Geun-hye government and Saenuri Party is said to be a reform but in fact retrogression. NGOs, members of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea have a consensus to stop the change and held a joint press conference on 21 October. They expressed great concerns on retrograding labor laws unilaterally pushed by the government and Saenuri Party.

 

● Park Geun-hye’s policies on low birthrate and ageing society are not bearable
▶ On 19 October, the government announced the third basic plan for low birthrate and ageing society. However, the plan found the cause of low birthrate from late marriages and suggested measures based on the traditional family concept failing to acknowledge fundamental problems of social inequality and sexual discrimination. Even further, people could not help themselves from sneering and getting angry when the state voluntarily to be a matchmaker. The government is ignoring the reality that social inequality, polarization, young unemployment and hard livelihood are real hindrances which make dating and getting married difficult. No one would agree the responsibility of late marriage is on the young and the people.

 

● Filed a lawsuit against dominant CGV for the public interest 
▶ The Minbyun, Youth Community Union, and Campaign for Anyone with Stable Life of PSPD gathered in front of CGV, Daehakro branch on 22 October to announce the commencement of a lawsuit for the public interest in regard to playing commercial films in cinemas irritating and stressing viewers. CGV has earned more than 81 billion won in 2014 from forcibly playing advertisements without a notice or consent of viewers. PSPD filed a lawsuit together with 26 youth plaintiffs and claimed return of unfair earnings and compensation to correct and stop a market leader CGV from playing an actual movie about 10 minutes later than the time written on a ticket in order to play commercial films. Last February, PSPD has reported unfair trade acts of movie theaters and urged the Fair Trade Commission again to take an instant action to correct it.  

● Criticizing double stances of Korean government on Japan’s plan to become a military giant and allowing Japanese Army into Korean Peninsula
▶ Recently, the change of Japanese security policy towards re-militarism and military giant has become a huge concern to both Asian and global citizens who love the peace. Far-right politicians in Japan do not hide their intention to dispatch Self-Defense Forces to Korean Peninsula. Our government is supposed to respond actively but rather shows double stances deepening worries to the people. Moreover, a suspicion was raised that the government concealed a conflict at the Korea-Japan Military Minister talk on 20 October. Japanese Defense Minister said effective sovereignty of South Korean government applied to southern part of DMZ disagreeing an interpretation of South Korean Defense Minister that Japanese Self-Defense Forces is required to request or have an agreement of South Korean government when enters to North Korea. Hence, the Center for Peace and Disarmament urged the government on 22 October to take a clear stance to oppose disabling the Peace Constitution of Japan and pursuing collective self-defense. Korean government should actively respond to Japanese actions towards far-right threatening the peace of Korean peninsula and the world. 

 

  

 

[회원확대 캠페인 ②] 이 정보 모르고 뽑지마오!

국회가 지난 4년간 한 일, 유권자 선택을 위한 정보로 알려드려요.

참여연대의 흔들림 없는 권력감시운동.
이번에는 4.13총선에서 유권자들의 올바른 선택을 돕는 정보 제공활동으로 이어집니다. 

지난 4년간 유권자와의 약속 제대로 지켰는지, 
누가 서민을 울리는 법을 만들려고 했는지
누가 국민들이 원하는 진상규명을 방해했는지 낱낱이 기록했어요.

 

정치권력에 맞선 참여연대의 감시활동
회원가입으로 참여연대에 힘을 보태주세요! (클릭)

*참여연대 활동보기

- [새누리당 공약이행 평가 프로젝트] 집권여당은 유권자와 한 약속, 얼마나 지켰나
- [이슈리포트] 한국사회 주요 이슈에 대한 19대 국회의원 발언과 태도
- [이슈리포트] 19대 후반기 국회, 디딤돌·걸림돌 법안 표결 보고서
- [이슈리포트] 19대 국회 나쁜 법안, 누가 발의했나
- [3분 총선] 총선 관한 모든 정보를 한 손에 (http://www.vote0413.net)
- [홈페이지] 열려라 국회 - 국회의원들의 성적표를 속속들이 보여드려요! (바로가기 클릭)

 

  *홈페이지 자료실에서 더 많은 보고서와 정보를 보실 수 있습니다. (바로가기 클릭)

[회원확대 캠페인 ④] 5월은 푸르구나! 우리들은 잘 한다! 

시민여러분의 참여만큼, 참여연대도 자라고 있습니다!

시민들의 자발적 후원으로 권력을 감시하고 민주주의를 더 키우겠습니다!

 

참여연대는 100여명의 자원활동가와 1만여 개 노란리본 지역 가게들에 배포했습니다. 
앞으로도 세월호를 기억하기 위한 노란리본을 나누겠습니다. 

 

'권력감시의 대표작' 국회 감시 전문사이트 '열려라 국회'를 새단장했습니다. 
20대 국회의원들의 의정 활동도 꼼꼼히 기록하겠습니다. 

 

"이젠 안 사요" 옥시 제품 불매운동(#옥시불매) 캠페인도 벌이고 있습니다. 

기업의 불법행위 재발을 막기 위해 집단소송제와 징벌적 손해배상제 도입에 앞장서겠습니다. 
 

* 참여연대 활동보기

- ['서촌길 노랗게 물들이기’ 시즌2] 서촌이 노랗게 물들고 있습니다

- 세월호를 기억하는, '노란 리본 공작소' 자원활동가 모집 

- [열려라 국회 웹사이트] 국회의원들의 성적표 

- [이젠, 안 사요! '옥시' 제품 불매운동 캠페인] 가습기 살균제 피해자들의 손을 잡아주세요! 

- 가습기살균제 사건의 엄정하고 신속한 수사를 촉구한다 

 

정치 권력에 맞선 참여연대의 꾸준한 감시 활동!

정부지원금 0%

참여연대는 회원들의 회비와 후원으로 쑥쑥 자라납니다!  ( 지금 바로 회원가입 클릭 )

[회원확대 캠페인 ⑤] 잘 뽑았으니 잘 감시합시다 

국민이 직접 뽑은 국회의원, 국민이 직접 감시합니다. 

 

"우리 동네 국회의원은 잘 하고 있나?" 

 

21년간 권력감시활동을 해온
참여연대가 만든 열려라국회 웹사이트에서 
국회의원들이 발의한 법안, 
회의 출석 및 표결 결과, 
재산내역과 정치 후원금 등 
다양한 의정활동 정보를 제공합니다.  
 

* 2016년 참여연대가 펴낸 주요 국회감시 보고서 

- 19대 국회 후반기, 국회 활동 평가 보고서

- 19대 국회 나쁜 법안, 누가 발의했나  

- 한국사회 주요 이슈에 대한 19대 국회의원 발언과 태도 

- 19대 후반기 국회, 디딤돌ㆍ걸림돌 법안 표결 보고서 

- 유권자가 꼭 알아야 할 새누리당의 공약 - 위험하거나 없거나 

- 유권자가 꼭 알아야 할 20대 총선 정당별ㆍ후보자 재산 현황 분석 

- 유권자가 꼭 알아야 할 20대 총선 후보자들의 이런! 전력 

- [공약이행 평가] 집권여당은 유권자와 한 약속, 얼마나 지켰나 

- 20대 국회 입법ㆍ정책과제를 제안하고, 국회 개혁을 촉구합니다 

 

정치 권력에 맞선 참여연대의 꾸준한 감시 활동!

정부지원금 0%

참여연대는 회원들의 회비와 후원으로 쑥쑥 자라납니다!  ( 지금 바로 회원가입 클릭 )

[회원확대 캠페인 ⑥]  우리는 쫄지 않아~ 

과잉수사 압수수색! 무분별한 통신감청!

 

"우리는 쫄지 않습니다."

 

국정원, 검찰, 경찰 등 수사정보기관이 
참여연대 활동가들의 통신자료를
1년 동안 무려 16차례나 들여다 봤던 것으로 드러났습니다. 

선관위의 고발과 경찰의 압수수색은 
합법적으로 정당했던 총선네트워크와
참여연대 활동가에 대한
과도하고 부당한 공권력 남용입니다. 

시민에게 재갈을 물리려는 
정권의 탄압, 당당히 헤쳐가겠습니다. 

지난 22년간 한결같이 권력을 
감시해 온 참여연대.
회원 가입으로 지켜 주세요!  
 

* 압수수색ㆍ통신감청에 맞선 참여연대와 시민사회의 대응 

- [회원님들께] 참여연대 압수수색 소식에 놀라셨죠? 

- 정당한 유권자행동 탄압하는 참여연대 등 총선넷 압수수색 규탄한다 

- 총선넷에 대한 고발과 압수수색의 부당함을 조목조목 비판하다 

- 낙천낙선운동 ‘사주’ 의혹 수사는 시민운동에 대한 폄훼 

- 국정원과 경찰의 무분별한 통신자료 수집에 손해배상 청구해 

- 통신자료 무단수집 피해자 5백 명 헌법소원 심판 청구 

- "정보ㆍ수사기관 통신자료 무단수집 심각한 수준" 

 

정치 권력에 맞선 참여연대의 꾸준한 감시 활동!

정부지원금 0%

참여연대는 회원들의 회비와 후원으로 쑥쑥 자라납니다!  ( 지금 바로 회원가입 클릭 )

참여연대, 본연의 역할인 ‘권력 감시’ 강화해야 

회원님들께 세월호 참사와 참여연대 운동 혁신에 대해 물었습니다.

 

이재근 정책기획팀장

 

지난 7월, 참여연대는 2014년 2차 회원모니터단 설문조사를 실시했습니다. 이번 설문조사는 상반기 가장 큰 사건이었던 세월호 참사 관련 질문과 참여연대의 상반기 활동에 대한 평가, 창립 20주년을 맞아 활동방식의 혁신을 위한 과제 등으로 구성되었습니다. 

 

조사 시기 : 2014년 7월 01일~7월 13일

설문 응답 : 총 265명(총 484명 중 54.8% 응답)

분석 수행 : 리서치뷰 

 

세월호 참사 원인과 정부 대응 관련

 

 

Q1. 세월호 참사가 발생하게 된 가장 근본적인 원인이 무엇이라고 생각하십니까?(복수응답)

회원모니터단 설문결과 ‘재난 콘트롤타워(청와대와 행정안전부)의 무능’(54.0%)과 ‘민관유착과 전관예우(이른바 관피아)등 공직자 부패’(50.2%)를 꼽은 비율이 비슷한 수준으로 높았습니다. 다음으로, ‘과적, 안전검사 소홀 등 기업의 무분별한 이윤추구’(33.6%), ‘안전 분야 규제완화’(20.8%), ‘재난 안전 전담체계의 비효율성이나 예산 부족’(17.4%) 등의 순으로 응답되었습니다. ‘재난 콘트롤타워(청와대와 행정안전부)의 무능’이라는 응답은 40대(59.7%), 여성(66.7%)에서 상대적으로 높았습니다.

 

 

Q2. 세월호 참사와 관련해 정부와 국회가 우선 주력해야 하는 일은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까?(복수응답)

설문결과 ‘국정조사를 통한 진상규명’이라는 응답이 51.7%로 가장 높았습니다. 설문조사 기간이 국정조사 시기였기에 이러한 답변이 많았던 것으로 보입니다. 다음으로 ‘독립적조사기구 설립을 위한 세월호 특별법 제정’(34.3%), ‘실종자 구조 작업’(30.2%), ‘참사 희생자, 피해자와 그 가족들에 대한 지원’(23.8%), ‘관피아 척결 등 공직윤리강화를 위한 제도 정비’(22.3%), ‘안전 분야 규제완화 정책에 대한 재검토’(14.7%), ‘국가안전처 신설 등 재난관리시스템 정비’(11.7%) 등의 순으로 나타났습니다.

 

 

Q3. 박근혜 대통령은 세월호 참사 후 해경 폐지 및 국가안전처 신설 등 정부조직을 개편하고, 퇴직공직자의 취업을 제한하겠다는 대책을 발표한 바 있습니다. 회원님은 이에 대해 어떻게 평가하십니까?

설문 결과 박근혜 대통령의 세월호 참사 후 대책 발표에 대해, ‘부적절한 대책이다’라는 응답이 64.9%(매우 부적절한 대책이다 35.8% + 대체로 부적절한 대책이다 29.1%)로 ‘적절한 대책이다’라는 응답 10.2%(매우 적절한 대책이다 1.9% + 대체로 적절한 대책이다 8.3%)에 비해 압도적으로 높았습니다. 한편, ‘그저 그렇다’는 응답은 23.8%(그저 그렇다 23.8%)였습니다.

 

 

Q4. 회원님은 제 2의 세월호 참사를 막기 위해 가장 혁신해야 할 집단은 어디라고 생각하십니까?

설문결과 ‘대통령과 청와대’가 43.4%로 가장 높았습니다. ‘행정부와 관료(공무원)’이 36.6%로 뒤를 이었습니다. 그 외, ‘기업과 기업인’(7.2%), ‘정당과 정치인’(6.0%), ‘일반 시민’(4.9%), ‘검찰과 경찰’(1.1%), ‘교육과 학교’(0.4%) 순으로 나타났습니다. ‘대통령과 청와대’라는 응답은 40대(48.9%), 여성(49.4%)에서 특히 높았습니다.

 

참여연대의 세월호 참사 대응과 2014년 활동 관련

 

 

Q5. 회원님은 세월호 참사에 대한 참여연대 활동에 대해 어떻게 평가하십니까?

설문결과 ‘참여연대가 꼭 해야 하는 일이고 활동에도 만족한다’는 응답이 75.1%로 압도적으로 높았습니다. 한편, ‘참여연대가 꼭 해야 하는 일이나 활동은 만족스럽지 않다’는 응답은 21.9%, ‘참여연대가 적극 나설 일은 아니라고 본다’는 응답은 1.5%였습니다.

 

 

Q6. 제 2의 세월호 참사가 발생하지 않도록 하기 위해 참여연대가 가장 중점을 두어야 할 활동은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까? (2개선택)

설문결과 ‘진상규명과 이를 위한 특별법 제정 촉구’가 68.3%로 가장 높았습니다. 다음으로 ‘관피아 등 공직자 부패 근절을 위한 제도개선안 제시’(34.7%), ‘한국사회 진단과 개혁방향 모색 위한 사회적 공론장 마련’(23.4%), ‘재난안전 관리시스템 개혁을 위한 정책대안 제시’(20.8%), ‘강행되고 있는 규제완화 조치에 제동 거는 활동’(20.4%), ‘시민의 의혹제기나 비판적 의사표현 막으려는 정부 조치 대응’(15.5%) 등의 순으로 응답되었습니다. ‘진상규명과 이를 위한 특별법 제정 촉구’라는 응답은 40대(76.3%), 2001~2005년 회원가입 층(76.9%)에서 특히 높았습니다.

 

 

Q7. 세월호 참사 대응 이외에도 참여연대는 올해 상반기 동안 아래와 같은 활동들을 전개했습니다. 회원님이 가장 높게 평가하는 활동은 무엇입니까?(3개 선택) 

설문결과 ‘국정원 대선개입과 증거조작 사건 등에 대한 책임추궁 활동’이 71.7%로 가장 높았습니다. 다음으로 ‘의료영리화 정책 철회를 위한 법적 대응과 시민행동 조직’(37.0%), ‘고위공직자 직권남용과 위법행위에 대한 고소, 고발 조치’(29.8%), ‘기업과 정부의 노동권 탄압에 대한 대응’(28.3%), ‘검찰권 오남용에 대한 비판과 기록 활동’(24.2%), ‘박근혜 정부 1년, 공약 이행 평가 활동’(21.9%) 등의 순으로 높게 나타났습니다. ‘의료영리화 정책 철회를 위한 법적 대응과 시민행동 조직’이라는 응답은 여성(46.0%)층에서 상대적으로 높게 나타났습니다.

 

 

Q8. 상반기 동안 참여연대가 전개한 활동에 대해 회원님은 어떻게 평가하십니까?

참여연대의 상반기 활동에 대해, ‘잘하고 있다’는 긍정평가가 93.2%(매우 잘하고 있다 20.8% + 대체로 잘하고 있다 72.5%)였습니다. 한편, ‘그저 그렇다’는 중립평가는 4.5%(그저 그렇다 4.5%)였으며, ‘잘못하고 있다’는 부정평가는 0.8%(대체로 못하고 있다 0.8%)에 그쳤습니다.

 

참여연대 향후 활동방향 관련

 

 

Q9. 참여연대는 20주년 평가비전위원회 논의와 회원 설문 등을 통해 지난 활동들을 평가하고 새로운 활동방향을 모색해왔습니다. 그 결과로 참여연대는 아래와 같은 활동방향과 역할을 검토하고 있습니다. 회원님은 이 중에서 가장 중점을 두어야 하는 것은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까? (2개선택)

설문결과 ‘국가권력과 자본권력에 대한 견제와 감시’라는 응답이 79.6%로 가장 높았습니다. 참여연대의 본래의 역할을 권력감시로 보시는 회원이 많다고 평가할 수 있습니다. 다음으로 ‘한국사회 개혁방향과 정책에 대한 대안 생산’(37.0%), ‘시민의 비판여론과 정책제안을 전달·관철’(35.1%), ‘온·오프라인 시민 소통과 협력 네트워크’(16.6%), ‘당사자, 사회적 약자에 대한 지원·연대’(15.8%), ‘행동하는 민주시민 육성과 지원’(10.2%) 등의 순으로 높게 나타났습니다.

 

 

Q10. 참여연대는 시민들에게 보다 친근하고 가까워지기 위해 아래와 같은 사업을 강화하거나 준비하고 있습니다. 회원님은 이 중에서 무엇에 중점을 두어야 한다고 생각하십니까?(2개선택)

설문결과 ‘활동기구 사업과 연계한 다양한 시민참여 프로그램 마련’이라는 응답이 44.5%로 가장 높았습니다. 다음으로 ‘소셜네트워크서비스(SNS) 등을 통한 쌍방향 소통 강화’(32.8%), ‘청년·청소년 대상 프로그램 다양화’(31.7%), ‘아카데미느티나무 강좌의 확대 발전’(29.1%), ‘팟캐스트 등 독자적인 채널 마련’(27.9%), ‘시민참여와 복합문화공간 활용을 위해 참여연대 공간 개방’(23.0%) 순으로 응답되었습니다. 특히 ‘소셜네트워크서비스(SNS) 등을 통한 쌍방향 소통 강화’라는 응답은 50대이상(41.5%), 2000년 이전 회원가입층(40.0%)에서 높았습니다.

 

 

Q11. 참여연대는 이슈를 제기하기 위해 다양한 활동방식을 취하고 있습니다. 회원님은 지금보다 강화해야 할 활동방식은 무엇이라고 생각합니까? (2개선택)

‘시의적절한 입장표명(논평/성명, 기자회견 등)’이 48.7%로 가장 높았습니다. ‘국회 입법청원·발의’가 38.9%로 뒤를 이었습니다. 그 외, ‘고소고발 등 법률 대응’(26.8%), ‘시민 직접행동 조직’(25.3%), ‘당사자(혹은 사회적 약자 집단)와의 현장 연대’(24.5%), ‘이슈리포트 등 정책자료 발간’(19.2%), ‘SNS 등 온라인을 통한 이슈 전파’(15.5%) 순으로 나타났습니다. ‘시의적절한 입장표명 (논평/성명, 기자회견 등)’은 2000년 이전 회원가입층(60.0%), 2011년 이후 회원가입층(54.8%)에서 특히 높은 응답이 나왔습니다. 참여연대가 시민의 대변자로서의 역할을 더욱 충실히 해야 한다는 것으로 해석할 수 있습니다.

 

 

Q12. 회원님은 참여연대의 지속가능한 활동을 위해 가장 시급히 개선해야 할 것은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까?

설문결과 ‘열악한 상근자 복지’(29.4%), ‘선택과 집중이 없는 사업’(24.5%), ‘논평, 기자회견 등에 집중된 문제제기 방식’(16.2%), ‘가독성이 떨어지는 콘텐츠’(12.8%), ‘시민에게 위화감을 주는 집회, 시위 방식’(10.9%) 순으로 응답되었습니다. 내실부터 다지고 지속가능한 활동을 하라는 회원들의 의견 새겨듣겠습니다.