People Power!
This Month of the PSPD
 
 

PSPD is putting more efforts on many activities that it has been carrying out this year. More than 500 citizens have come to the PSPD anniversary on 6 September to give support. PSPD will always be within and with the citizens.

Victory for a public interest lawsuit against the police for interfering with the march, order of disperse and excessive evidence collecting 

PSPD has won a lawsuit for public interest again. At the first memorial of Sewol Ferry disaster on 16 April last year, PSPD and its members marched from PSPD secretariat office building to Seoul Square cherishing the deceased. When the march tried to meet bereaved families of Sewol Ferry disaster near Sejong government complex in the course, the police blocked, unreasonably ordered disperse and illegally took photos of the scene. Hence, Ha Tae-hoon, co-president and full time activists of PSPD sued the police for public interest to compensate ₩ 500,000 per person and the Judge Yim Jong-hyo of the Seoul Central Court decided to pay ₩ 300,000 based on following grounds.  

△ The course of the march was partly changed but it was small and the reason coincided with the purpose of the march △ There seemed no direct danger on the public order and security so that the disperse order of the police was not justified △ Despite of unlawful order of disperse, the police encouraged taking photos of the scene unnecessarily to pressurize the participants. Police of the Republic of Korea, please have some respects for citizens!  
 

Fear on continuous earthquakes, special measure is required for nuclear power plants
Continuous earthquakes have brought the fear in Korean peninsula. PSPD seriously concerns about the fear of earthquakes and the safety of nuclear power plants. Especially, the ‘Joint Action for nuclear free society’ in which PSPD participates held an emergency press conference “The outbreak of the biggest earthquake, nuclear power plants are dangerous” on 13 September. It said the risks are high because the earthquake on 12 September broke out in Kyeongju where nuclear power plants were densely located. It stressed out that Korea is no longer safe from earthquakes and thus we have to accept the danger signal, establish safety measures and break away from nuclear centered power policy. When another earthquake hit Kyeongju on 19 September, PSPD held an urgent press conference and released a joint statement “Continuous earthquakes, we demand the right to security” criticizing the government for failing to predict and prevent disasters, and urged to prepare a special measure for the safety of the people.  

Growing suspicions on corruptions of the Mir and K-Sports Foundation
Unbelievable corruption scandal has broken out. The Jeon Du-hwan administration established an absurd foundation “Ilhae” to forcibly collect contributions and regular bribes from large corporations abusing its power. Circumstances exposed on Mir and K-Sports Foundation are showing similarities with Ilhae. Growing suspicions are the involvement of close aides of the president Park Geun-hye, and breach of trust and bribery of Chaebols. Particularly, it is one of the serious scandals that Choi Soon-sil, a closest aide behind the curtain of the President Park and Ahn Jong-beom, senior secretary for policy coordination have deeply involved in establishment and management of Mir and K-Sports foundation. The investigation has to find the facts and bring the responsible to justice.
If it is found to be true that Ahn pressurized the Federation of Korean Industries to make contributions to fund-raising, it is obviously abusing the power of the government and that is, misfeasance. The acts of forced contribution of corporations are highly regarded as a breach of trust and bribery. If Choi truly intervened in human resources and management in general having the authority of the president on her back, it is misusing the authority for personal interest so that it should be treated strictly. As PSPD has devoted to the State power watch and Chaebol surveillance, it will do its best to find the truth of the case.    

Problems are found in both procedures and contents of ‘Dismissal based on performance’ system 

Park Geun-hye government constantly attempts to retrograde the labor law during the term. Recently, it made two guidelines to enable dismissal of low performers and ease criteria for changing rules of employment (working conditions). It is additionally pushing for applying ‘Annual salary based on performance’ system to the public sector. In doing so, it has violated restrictions on dismissal described in the Constitution and the Labor Standard Act, and procedures for preparation and amendment of employment rules. Problems are found not only the procedures but also in contents itself. ‘Annual salary based on performance’ system is in fact, dismissal based on performance since the performance in the public service area can’t be scored. It is to facilitate to classify low performers and eventually to fire them for making labor unions of the public sector and basic labor rights lose their powers. If public service collapses, damages will be all on citizens. The people should be able to use public service safely and at reasonable cost but the situation will come out the opposite. Hence, public sector unions resisted with general strikes at the end of September, and PSPD and the civil society have supported and worked together with them.      

Finally, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser officially apologized 

On 20-23 September, the Special Committee of State Administration Investigation for Oxy disaster and victims of humidifier disinfectant have carried out protests internationally. They visited the headquarter of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser in the UK to appeal and held a rally in front of the residence of British Prime Minister. They also went to the Serious Fraud Office to report Oxy for criminal charges and had a meeting with the Consumers International, an international consumer alliance in order to seek cooperation. Just then, Rakesh Kapoor CEO of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser officially apologized on 23 September. Therefore, the responsibility of the British headquarter is admitted and clear that Korean prosecutors should promptly summon, indict and bring them to justice. The National Assembly needs to extend the state administration investigation period because the Special Committee hasn’t even completed finding the truth phase. Including outcomes of activities in the UK, it has to complete its initial objectives; finding the truth, measures for compensation and specific measure to prevent reoccurrences. PSPD will closely work with the National Network for Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster in order for Punitive Damages Compensation, Collective Action Lawsuit, Punishing Corporation for serious disasters and revision of Chemical agents related legislations.

The baton passed from the movement for half tuition fee to abolishment of entrance fee 

The movement has commenced to abolish entrance fee of approx. one million won which is levied to new university students without any ground. PSPD held a press conference on 12 September in front of Sejong government complex for requesting a meeting with an Education Minister with open inquiry in respect to entrance fee. On 22 September, another press conference was held at the National Assembly to inform that entrance fee issue was reported to the Fair Trade Commission and it urged to pass the revision of the Higher Education Act. Educational foundations including Korea, Dongkuk, Hongik, Hanyang and Kyunghee University were reported respectively for abusing market dominance and unfair conduct (forced provision of benefits) of levying university entrance fee. On the other hand, the Youth PSPD reported Choi Kyung-hwan, a former deputy prime minister (current lawmaker of Saenuri Party) eight months ago charging him for illegally and unfairly provided a job for his close aide at the Small and Medium Business Corporation. It was proved that the Youth PSPD was right. The president of the Small and Medium Business Corporation testified at a court that Choi directly pressurized and asked for the position. The prosecutors must investigate Choi right away and punish him with strict standard.

Prosecutors started to summon General Election Net

There are ceaseless oppressions against the 2016 General Election Network of citizens (General Election Net).The police briefed an investigation report on 13 September concerning 22 activists of the General Election Net and forwarded the case to the prosecutors with an opinion of indictment. With no delay, the prosecutors summoned four main activists. Ahn Jin-geol, co-secretary-general of PSPD (co-chairman of the General Election Net) and Lee Gwang-ho, a secretary-general of the Incheon Peace and Welfare Solidarity appeared at the prosecutor’s office on 22 September and held a press briefing insisting ‘Why the General Election Net is innocent’. They protested with silence during interrogation of the police and prosecutors. On 28 September, Lee Jae-geun, a head of Policy Committee of PSPD and Lee Seung-hoon, a secretary-general of the Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea also appeared at the prosecutors. The General Election Net and PSPD will get a decision of innocent so that oppression and harassments of the power against voters’ movements do not repeat. 
 
  
Sewol Ferry Special Act must be revised

PSPD and civil organizations sincerely wish the victims of the Sewol Ferry disaster rest in peace and hope for those were on board but haven’t found yet to come back to their family; Danwon high school students (Jo Eun-hwa, Heo Da-yoon, Nam Hyun-cheol and Park Young-in), Danwon high school teachers (Yang Seung-jin and Ko Chang-seok) and other passengers (Kwon Jae-geun, Kwon Hyuck-soo and Lee Young-sook). 
PSPD is working hard with no pause for finding the truth of the Sewol Ferry disaster and preparing measures to prevent other disasters. On 21 September, it joined in a press conference announcing intensive activities for revision of the Sewol Ferry Special Act in front of the main gate of the National Assembly. It hasn’t stopped taking a part in the rally at Gwanghwamun Sewol Ferry Square. Now, the President Park Geun-hye and the Saenuri Party attempt to terminate the process of finding the truth and activities of the Sewol Ferry Special Committee as of the end of September. However, the National Assembly composed of bigger opposition parties does not seem to take any clear action to stop it. In order to secure enough time for the Special Investigation Committee to find the truth and appoint a special prosecutor for the disaster, the Sewol Ferry Special Act must be revised. 

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 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.