PSPD English Newsletter, December 2015

Happy participation, Heartwarming solidarity _ This month of the PSPD

● Fighting against tenacious interruptions for activities to find the truth of Sewol Ferry disaster
▶ The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has drawn a document [How to respond to issues related to the Special Investigation Committee for Sewol Ferry] and distributed it to committee members recommended by the leading party to take collective actions. When the Special Committee tried to investigate whether Chengwadae handled the situation properly, leading party side members held a press conference and threatened to resign as directed in the document. In the line with the 416 Solidarity activities, PSPD instantly criticized such political behavior and urged to reveal how and why the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries composed such shocking document. PSPD keeps monitoring activities of the Special Committee by hearing meetings and continues civil discussion ‘They could be saved’ in regions. The Special Committee is planning to hold hearings in December so that the 416 Solidarity has started to organize things that should be proved through hearings. 

● Freedom to assembly is blocked by vehicle walls and hidebound
▶ PSPD has collected and submitted signatures of members and citizens to the Prosecutors wishing for Baek Nam-ki to get well soon who felt in coma after being stroke by water cannon of the Police and urging for complete investigation concerning an abuse of public powers. It also sent contents of the report to the press and spread it out on SNS which was written and sent by the government to the UN insisting that freedom to assembly was fairly secured. In prior to this, UN reviewed human rights status in Korea at the consideration of freedom of rights and adopted unprecedentedly powerful recommendations to ensure not only freedom of peaceful assembly but also improving various human rights violations including discrimination against sexual minorities and immediate release of all conscientious objectors. Since PSPD has contributed to adopting recommendations, it has written columns and distributed press release about its contents and meanings, and gained good responses.

● Last general session of the 19th National Assembly, Pass livelihood related bills before too late!

▶ PSPD is concentrating on activities for the National Assembly to swiftly handle and pass livelihood related bills. In the meeting with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy and the Justice Party, PSPD urged followings for priority; a revised Franchise Business Act, a revised Housing Lease Protection Act to ease house rent and lease problems, a special bill for designating small and medium business, a bill to regulate chabeol owned shopping complex and adoption of young employment quota for private conglomerates. It also requested to pass a revision of Telecommunications Business Act which would eliminate a basic charge to reduce mobile communication cost and a revision of Device Distribution Act to remove bubbles in device cost. 

▶ The Tripartite agreement made on 15 September already asks great sacrifices of the labor. However, the government and Saenuri party are still trying to pass a revised Labor Act which is much more retrograded than 9.15 agreement. Therefore, PSPD has asked the people to vote on government’s labor policy and held a press conference with civil and social organizations to raise voices to demand abolition of a revised Labor Act.  

● Urging Fair Taxation and Resisting against reducing welfare for the weak

▶ Despite of state’s debt increasing like a snowball and lack of tax income, the government and the leading party do not show even a little intention to secure budget from fair taxation. PSPD urged the National Assembly at revising taxation discussions to resolve five big tasks for fair taxation, specifically adjusting corporate tax rate to the ordinary level, applying cumulative rate on capital gain tax, reconsidering ISA (Individual Savings Account) which risks special treatment in taxation favorable for the rich, taxing religious persons and strengthening taxation on free transfer of the wealth.
  

▶ Regional welfare projects are in danger to be reduced or abolished because the government is demanding regional government to organize similar and duplicated welfare projects. Projects to be reconsidered include not only living cost subsidiaries for sex slave victims for Japanese Military which was controversial but also welfare expenditures for securing the right to live and for the weak of our society such as health insurance for the poorest, supporting activities of the disabled, house heating cost for the disabled and the low income households and helping homeless.

▶ While the National Assembly is discussing a proposed bill for privatizing medical industries, concerns are raised that the bill would let the public health on a hand of market which pursues commercial profits. PSPD is collecting voices of opposition against a bill of the Service Industry Development and the International Medical Business Support which the government intends to pass to achieve medical industry privatization. It also brings the issue to the public regarding human clinical testing which is publicized as a sweet casual job for low income families.

● Politician never voluntarily reform  
▶ The National Assembly failed to decide constituency by legal deadline and the Political Reform Special Committee extended its mission period. After having activities of ‘Political Reform Civil Solidarity’, PSPD has demanded to place a priority in seat distribution according to votes earned and increasing proportionate representation but Saenuri Party on the contrarily, tries to increase regional and reduce proportional representation. Therefore, PSPD and civil groups held a press conference and picketing demonstration requesting lawmakers to stop changing the election law to backwards and work for political reforms. Furthermore, they placed an advertisement with the support and donations of citizens. It is very regret to accept but we should stop politicians and giant political parties from retrograding before asking them to reform. They never change for the better by themselves. 

● Claps and thanks to whistle blowers for public interests! 
▶ According to inspection of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, corruptions were found in Hana high school entrance exam. The school attempted to punish a teacher Jeong Kyeong-won who revealed the fault and one person demonstration asking the school to stop unfair retaliation was held in front of the school. PSPD is preparing a yearly event <2015 Whistle Blowers for public interests and Righteous Citizen Awards> for the purpose of supporting and encouraging whistle blowers for public interests. They try to disclose corruptions and injustice in our society to keep safety and rights of the public but sometimes become a victim of isolation, punishment and dismissal.  

● Sending out Troops does not bring the peace

▶ The National Assembly is reviewing to enact the Dispatch Troops to Overseas Act which the Ministry of Defense has tried for a long time. Even though Korea already has the Peacekeeping Operation Participation Act and the Emergency Relief Act, the Ministry wants this Act to justify overseas dispatch regardless of purposes whether commercial or emergency relief. Korea has actively participated in the US leading anti-terror war by sending out large scale of troops and consequently, inordinate terror forces such as IS has grown. As PSPD has strived to stop enactment of Dispatch Act, it has made card news to inform citizens telling problems of the bill and continued activities to stop enactment. Meanwhile, agendas to extend troops to UAE and Cheonghae Unit to Somalia are being requested. The troop to UAE is unconstitutional because they are sent for a commercial reason, receiving nuclear power plant orders. The reason for a dispatch to Somalia is said to be to protect vessels from pirates but in fact there are none near the Gulf of Aden. The intention of the Ministry of Defense is impure and the National Assembly has been negligent and failed to control dispatch matters properly. Hence, PSPD has presented a statement to reject extension of dispatch period and sent it to the National Defense Committee members.

▶ Myanmar is heading to end long-term military dictatorship. Activists of civil society including PSPD have participated in Myanmar election as an inspection group. They organized ‘Wind of democracy in Myanmar’ to share live stories of historic election sites and talked about the future of Myanmar. 

● The Youth PSPD starts its sailing
▶ The Youth PSPD has established last month. In cooperation with the Institute of Participatory Society, a forum was held on 4 November to discuss worries of current youth activities and roles in the Korean society. It was also a venue to share activities between the Youth PSPD and the Youth Community Union, the Union Slug and the Youth Government Network of Seoul Metropolitan City. It has requested the National Assembly on 17 November to revise the Higher Education Act to limit college entrance fee to actual costs and not to levy tuition fee to tertiary students who postpone a graduation. 

PSPD Newsletter, February 2016

Happy Participation, Heartwarming Solidarity This Month of the PSPD
 

● 2016 General Election is around the corner! General Election Preparation, GO! GO! GO!
▶ There is no doubt that upcoming General Election and Presidential Election are very important event which would have a great influence on the present and the future Korean society. The picture of election is getting complicated because oppositions have split up while the President Park Geun-hye and the Blue House have stepped in the election. Usually, the main issue of a general election in the middle of presidential term is judgment over current government and a leading party but the President and the Blue House are asking the people to judge oppositions and incompetent National Assembly. Despite that democracy in economy is a promise of the Park Geun-hye government, it is pushing for retrograded reform of the labor law putting blames on workers for a principle cause of economic crisis. To cope with all these, civil society and social movements should expose true faces of authorities in power and inquire inability of oppositions which have failed to check. It is essential to lead and increase the participation level and the fever of voters.   

 
● The School for public interest activities of the Young
▶ The ‘PSPD the Young’ is an affiliate organization of the PSPD and it runs an awesome and dynamic education and participation program called ‘The School for public interest activities of the young’. Even though living in a harsh period especially for the young people, enthusiastic twenty one have enrolled to study PSPD, and civil and social activities. The program includes University Education with a civil think tank Korea University Education Research Institute, Free of Nuclear with Kim Ik-joong, Labor Movement with Ha Jong-kang and Green politics with Ha Seung-su a president of Green Party Korea.   

● Solid and conscientious prosecutors are hard to survive in the Korean Prosecutors Office
▶ The Judicial Watch of PSPD Keeps working for a prosecutor Yim Eun-jeong who was punished for demanding innocent for Yoon Kil-joong at the retrial who was said to be guilty for violating the National Security Act in 2012. Oddly, the Prosecutors Office categorized Yim from Prosecutor Competence Assessment to subject to Depth Assessment but judges unanimously gave her pass. In regard to this incident, PSPD presented a comment on 13 January urging the Ministry of Justice to improve Competence Assessment System in order to stop misusing it to dismiss good conscientious prosecutors. 

● The Court said to withdraw the decision not to open security education movie of the Ministry of Defense
▶ The PSPD has won the case of request for information disclosure on 21 January. The Seoul Administration Court said the Ministry of Defense to withdraw the decision not to open security education movie which became an issue because of violent contents such as forced termination. It was obvious decision since the Ministry did not comply with the law. PSPD welcomed it and urged the Ministry to swiftly disclose the movie and improve typical close-door attitude. To take this opportunity, social discussions regarding security education of the Ministry and the Armed forces have to take place, and contents and manners of security education need to be changed in depth.

● Responding to a haste agreement on ‘comfort woman’ of Japanese Army continues
▶ The Peace and Disarmament Center requested to disclose the information concerning the agreement on comfort woman between the Korean and Japanese foreign ministries. The questions were made to Yoon Byung-se, a foreign minister requesting to open the process and contents of the agreement. As anger of the people is growing, the government needs to show detailed discussions, process, agenda between two nations and following government’s stance and documents transparently so that the conflict can be settled and resolutions understandable for sex slave victims are found. PSPD is actively participating in <Holding hands with sex slave victims of Japanese Army> and <National Action to invalidate the agreement on comfort woman and for a righteous settlement>    

● Handed in 1mm size letter of protest concerning the court’s decision that Home Plus is not guilty for illegally selling customer information
▶ The Home Plus has sold customer’s personal information to insurance companies without consent and accordingly has been prosecuted for violating the private information protection Act. However, the Court said on 8 January that not only the Home Plus Co. Ltd but also executives were all innocent. Therefore, the Campaign for Anyone with Stable Life presented a joint statement together with the Consumer Protection Center of Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and the Jinbo Network denouncing the court for ignoring damages on customers and giving an indulgence to the Home Plus. In addition, 1mm size letter of protest was handed in to the court in charge on 13 January to make an appeal against the ground of court’s decision. The Court insisted that customers have agreed on information provision written in 1mm size on a gift event application used by the Home Plus to collect and sell customer information. The letter of protest made in 1mm size was covered in various presses and PSPD received big supports from the people. PSPD is looking forward to having a right judgment at the appeal.
 
● Asking the Blue House if promises for economic democracy have been kept?
▶ From the end of last year till today, the Blue House, the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Planning and Finance, Kim Moo-sung, a president of Saenuri Party have tried to convince the people that the Park Guen-hye government has kept most of its promises to achieve economic democracy. However, PSPD analysis shows that 10 out of 18 economic democracy policies from the presidential election promises have not been carried out at all. Six have been partly implemented and only two have been completed as promised. Especially the PSPD pointed out that core policies are among 10 unimplemented including revised business bills for economic democracy and Chabeol reform for the purpose of stopping and preventing power abuses and evil practices of large conglomerates. It also strongly criticized that telling lies to have kept promises was truly inappropriate behavior. The Economic and Finance Center presented a press release, wrote columns and visited the Blue House on 21 January to appeal. PSPD will keep trying to resolve economic democracy related matters, Chabeol reform and Gap-Eul problem (Power abuse).
 

● Exposed and denounced government-initiated petition of Park Geun-hye and Chabeol to enact retrograded labor reform bill
▶ The Labor and Society committee presented an urgent press release on 20 January “Economic and finance circles have mobilized employees for getting signatures on the petition to demand biased legislation favorable for Chabeol and large conglomerates”. The Korean Finance and Service Workers Union and Park Won-seok, a lawmaker of the Justice Party obtained and exposed an official document which economic organizations and six financial associations asked member companies and organizations to collect signatures of employees, visitors and financial planners for “The petition to collect ten thousands signatures to enact ‘Saving economy (Saving livelihood) bills”. The document has confirmed that the petition in progress is a typical government-initiated action and public opinion manipulation led by the Blue House, economic circles and employer organizations. Without having a national discussion and social consensus, Park Geun-hye has bluntly forced Jeong Eui-hwa, a National Assembly Speaker to execute discharging power and even carried out authority controlled petition.

PSPD Newsletter, March 2016

Happy Participation, Heartwarming Solidarity This Month of the PSPD

The March has come. It is only a month away from the 20th General Election which would have a great impact on the future of our society. PSPD secretariat office is getting busier day by day. With thanks to the support of PSPD members and citizens wishing for a better society, Let me brief what PSPD has done last February.

Start of ‘Making the General Election for judgment and conversion’

PSPD has defined the 20^th General Election which will take place on 13 April as the election for judgment and conversion. It should become an opportunity to judge wrongful politics and performance of the state administration, and convert for a better society.

In order to realize it, PSPD has prepared from January to provide necessary information to voters and suggest policies to be adopted for election promises. The first outcome ‘Assessment on public commitment’ was released through investigative journal <Newstapa> in late February and examined how many promises of the 19^th General Election have implemented. In early March, policies essential for conversion will be presented.  

No Counter-Terrorism Act that would only increase the power of the National Intelligence Service

The Government has pressurized the National Assembly to shiftily pass Counter-Terrorism Act insisting the North Korea is preparing for terrors since it executed the 4^th nuclear test and fired rocket missile. Nevertheless, a Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-an did not even know that he was the chairperson of the National Terror Management Council until a lawmaker Kim Gwang-jin asked him on 18 February at the Q & A with the government session. If the government truly intends to prevent terrors, Hwang, a chairperson of the council can look into measures. However, he does not know his position and role and furthermore, there has been no direction from the president Park concerning what to do to prevent. Without following basics, the government keeps pushing for enactment of Counter-Terrorism Act. The only reason for this oppression can be think of is enhancing authority of the National Intelligence Service under the excuse of terror prevention. For the purpose of stopping enactment, PSPD has campaigned urgent online petition from 22 February. It held a press conference on 23 in front of the National Assembly and carried out one-person

THAAD, What is the problem?

There is another issue that the government is pushing forward giving an excuse of nuclear test of North Korea. Together with the American government, it is planning to install THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) in Korea. Two governments insist that THAAD is a preparation for nuclear and missile of North Korea but it is widely known to be ineffective to defend ballistic missiles of the North. Infringements of the right to live and health of residents and damages on the environment are serious problems incurred by installing THAAD. The Defense Ministry of the US also admits these consequences and damages have been already found in neighborhood of US radar base in Japan. Unfortunately, these kinds of information are rarely revealed because criticism has disappeared in our press. PSPD has made card news to easily explain and inform citizens on risks and problems associated with THAAD installation. I would like you to read <THAAD, troublemaker> made on 19 February and spread it around to other people.

Won the National Flag Contempt case, a citizen was prosecuted for

Do you remember a citizen who burnt a paper national flag to appeal against the stance of the government over the first memorial of Sewol Ferry disaster held in April last year? Prosecutors charged him for National Flag Contempt applying Article 105 of the Criminal Law ‘Damaging National Flag in order to contempt the country is subject to punishment’. PSPD has supported him with public proceeding and the Seoul Central Court said on 17 February that he was innocent for National Flag Contempt. It decided that he tried to appeal to the government but didn’t seem to have an intention to contempt a national flag.

‘Nuri program, whose responsibility is it?

At the presidential election in 2012, the President Park Geun-hye said daycare of children aged between 0-5 should be completely taken care by the government and promised to increase budget for Nuri program subsidizing daycare of children aged between 3 and 5. However, the central government has passed the responsibility to metropolitan and provincial governments when allocating the budget. It eventually changed the enforcement ordinance of the Local Finance Act last October to evade its responsibility by including Nuri program budget in the mandatory expense of provincial government office of education. Regarding the change, education superintendents have expressed the stance that other necessary expenses would be short if Nuri program is covered by local budget, and boycotted the central government’s guideline. Meanwhile, victims are parents of children. Therefore, PSPD held a urgent forum on 2 February <Who is responsible for daycare of children?> and reviewed If any legal issue was involved in tossing the finance to local education offices, and roles and responsibilities of the central and local education offices in terms of finances of welfare and education. The conclusion defined that all responsibilities are on the state. Materials and information of the forum are available on PSPD website.

Young people gathered for ‘the honor and the human right to ‘comfort women’’

Together with 20 teenagers, a voluntary program “The Honor and the Human Right to ‘comfort women’” was held on 27 January. While the criticism over a haste agreement on sex slave issue which was made between Korean and Japanese government end of last year does not seem to subsides, the program provided the time to directly see, listen and share related problems at the sites and take an action. Teenagers watched an animation <A story of a young girl> produced with the voice of a victim Jeong Se-woon and shared their views. ‘Japanese Army sex slave’ matter is the world’s oldest peace protest. They made pickets to use at regular ‘Wednesday protest’ and also participated in. Afterwards, they moved to Insa-dong and carried out collecting one hundred million signatures of the world for the settlement of sex slave problems. They were shy and felt uncomfortable since it was their first signature collecting activity but their serious attitude and efforts looked beautiful.

People Power! 
This month of the PSPD 
 

It was exceptionally hot this summer. You have gone through the difficult time in August and I hope you also spend the late summer with wisdom. Although it was very hard to work during the August, PSPD hadn’t stopped its activities cheering up each other. Stepping forward with supports and wisdom of citizens, we believe that the better society would be waiting for us.  

Regarding the law to prohibit asking unjust favors (Kim Young-ran Act),

PSPD has tried to stop the attempts to lower down bribery standard.

Having the enforcement of the law to prohibit asking unjust favors and bribery around the corner, there are attempts to ease bribery standard. They demand to raise the upper limit ₩30,000 for meal treats, ₩50,000 for gifts and ₩100,000 for cash contribution for congratulation or condolence which public servants can receive from work-related. PSPD surely disagree with it. Regarding the suggestion of Woo Sang-ho, a lawmaker of the Minju Party to increase the limit, PSPD released a statement criticizing the suggestion on 2 August. It also denounced a resolution to ease the standards made by the Agriculture, Dairy, food, Maritime and Fishery Committee of the National Assembly on 8 August. Successively on 12 August, it submitted a letter of opinion to the Office for Government Policy Coordination urging to sustain standards (₩30,000 for meal treats, ₩50,000 for gifts and ₩100,000 for cash contribution) presented by the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission when reviewing the enforcement of ordinance for the Cabinet Council to make a final decision. 

In the letter, PSPD insisted that worrying about economic contraction was exaggerated and stressed out that standards for corruptions and bribery should not be eased even though some damages could follow. Restrictions commonly agreed by most of the people should not be changed.

Investigation bureau for corruptions of high-level officials should be set up and Directors of the Prosecutors need to be elected by residents

In a short time, the Ministry of Justice must be reformed which prosecutors have the control over and an investigation bureau for high-level officials needs to be established. In the long term, PSPD suggests to elect directors of regional prosecutor offices by residents themselves.

A forum <Searching for a measure to make people’s prosecutors – suggesting direct election for directors of prosecutors’ office by residents> was held on 17 August. It proposed to have residents to elect 18 heads of regional prosecutor offices by their hands in the same way of electing education superintendents. It is to break the vertical structure from president, justice minister, chief prosecutor and down to 18 directors of regional prosecutor offices. In other words, directors who are responsible for investigations do not have to care about opinions of superiors and their promotions but residents. This system is one of democracy movement to decentralize the power of the president and give an authority to the people. It would also help changing the political prosecutors to people’s prosecutors. Furthermore, it complies with independent regional governing and distribution of powers.

In order for the reform of prosecutors, PSPD will firstly concentrate on set-up of an investigation bureau and continue the movement to adopt direct election system for heads of regional prosecutor offices in the long run.

 
Presented agenda for ‘West Annex meeting’ hearing on Daewoo Shipbuilding and Maritime restructuring 

What would be the solution for insolvent Daewoo Shipbuilding and Maritime? How about jobs for shipbuilding workers? Even though they were very important tasks, major government officers so called West Annex meeting participants had decided to aid the Daewoo with 4,200 billion won from a public bank, the Korea Development Bank but the financial situation became worse. It is necessary to restructure insolvent companies but it is also very important to clarify where the responsibility lies so that the same mistakes do not repeat. Therefore, floor leaders of three big parties have agreed on 12 August to hold a hearing <To find the reasons and responsibilities of insolvent Shipbuilding and Maritime Industry>. 

PSPD has listed 12 problems in 5 areas to clarify at the hearing on 19 August and the major are as follow. △ True face and illegality of West Annex meeting △ Negligence of the Korea Development Bank regarding liability review and management of the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Maritime △ Poor inspection of the authority. △ Window dressing accounting and false auditing of the accounting firm.

There are difficulties in proceeding of this hearing since adoption of witness such as Choi Kyung-hwan, a former deputy prime minister for economy and Ahn Jong-beom chief secretary for economy have not been confirmed. PSPD will try to make this hearing which the National Assembly can check and correct the government.

Investigate if the government inspects violation of the minimum wage properly

The society has paid more attention on importance of the minimum wage for the last few years. It is encouraging phenomenon to PSPD since it has participated in raising minimum wage movement for a long time. However, it is also required to check if employers comply with the standard and the government promotes and inspects employers to obey. For some cases, employers need to be punished for violation. 

PSPD has presented <Report on the Minimum Wage Act – the results of labor inspection in 2015> on 10 August. It is confirmed that reported violation of paying wages below the minimum wage (violation of Article 6) has increased triple from 754 to 2000 cases between 2012 and 2015. Measures and inspections of the Ministry of Labor and Employment haven’t been taken enough to control them. You may find details in the blog of the Labor and Society Committee of PSPD website.   

Refuted arguments of the government on THAAD deployment,
‘People’s action to stop THAAD in Korea’ established

PSPD has published an issue report <Refuting 12 false arguments of the government on THAAD deployment> on 1 August.  Following the card news ‘Is it something to eat or wear? What’s the problem with THAAD?’ made in March last year to make people easily understand and ‘THAAD, a trouble maker’ released in February, it provides very useful information to citizens who want to know about THAAD issue better.

It thoroughly explains 12 incorrect arguments of the government including △ THAAD deployment is not a participation of Missile Defense of the US △ THAAD is to watch North Korea and neither the China nor Russia △ Do not need to worry about concerns of neighboring countries △ THAAD has a high interception rate △ Further than 100 meters from the radar is safe △ Seongju is the best location in terms of environment, health and security △ Consents of the National Assembly and residents are not required for THAAD deployment △ There will be no direct or indirect expenses required including a share of defense.

On the other hands, PSPD has initiated discussions with social organizations to set up a joint action after THAAD was decided to be deployed in Seongju thus ‘People’s action to stop THAAD deployment in Korea’ has been established on 17 August. PSPD will do its best until THAAD decision gets withdrawn. 
     
Appealed for legislation of ‘Punitive damage compensation’

The humidifier sanitizer tragedy has made the people to think that punitive damage compensation is necessary for corporates which incur damages and injuries to the life and the body of the people on purpose. PSPD has insisted its adoption for more than 10 years and appealed to the National Assembly to legislate 「Punitive Damage Compensation」on 10 August. Opposition party members have drafted a bill to levy compensation between triple and five times of actual damage but what PSPD has suggested is different as below. 

△ Compensation up to triple of actual damage for illegal activities which are highly criticized by the public such as product defaults, illegal discharge of pollutions and bad food △ Punitive damage compensation with no upper limit in order to stop reoccurrences of damaging the life and the body by serious mistakes or faults on purpose.

A public hearing was held with experts on 17 August at the National Assembly after submission of the appeal for legislation. Before interest of society diminishes, PSPD will try its best for the National Assembly to pass it.

 
Provide aid to 15 whistle blowers who have fallen in difficulties in living.

PSPD has started to help 15 whistle blowers who have difficulties in living because of whistle blowing with 170 million won for 6 months from August. It has acknowledged it since the establishment that whistle blowers take very important role in making corruption-free society. Therefore, it has carried out activities for whistle blowers including the whistle blower’s night and righteous citizen awards which is held every year since 2010. Furthermore, it has planned ‘Co-living project’ to help people who have difficulties in living from unemployment or contract termination after whistle blowing.

PSPD received applications of whistle blowers from end May to 9 July and they were reviewed by a Jury committee composed of internal and external experts. As a result, the decision was made at the end of July to aid 15 whistle blowers for living cost from one to two million won per month for 6 months according to their circumstances. The first subsidy was paid on 4 August. All 15 people receive psychological treatment at the Institute for Medical and Human rights and 5 get legal support from the Minbyun.

Corruptions revealed by them are as follow; violation of safety regulation by public organizations (5), private school embezzlement (3), defective construction (2), embezzlement of government subsidy (2), bribery of high-level officials and power abuse (2), and rebate of supplier to large conglomerate (1).

People Power! 
This month of the PSPD

Members! You must be in agony, speculation and having discussions and participation while the people as sovereigns are overwhelmingly advancing civil revolution. There seem your angers and sighs are everywhere. PSPD will go through this historical upheaval with members and citizens to the victory of sovereign revolution and do its best to make a significant change. Taking this opportunity, connection of Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil and Chaebol must be brought to the justice by the people. Sovereign of the people should be restored so that the democracy of our society can develop. Please keep shouting out together with PSPD in the middle of historical moment. Immediately step down, Park Geun-hye! Clear off criminals of Park Geun-hye Gate! We want Democracy and Justice!!

Emergency Action of the People for the resignation of Park Geun-hye government established and started its movements

More than 1600 nationwide civil and social organizations established a joint organization the Emergency Action of the People for the Resignation of Park Geun-hye government (Action for Resignation) on 9 November. It is a developed form of the council for current situation previously held several times and participating organizations are still growing. There are similarities and differences with People’s action for the victory of democracy in 1987 and People’s council to respond to threats of mad cow disease in 2008. What’s obvious this time is that everyone is endeavoring to remove Park administration from their positions. Website (http://bisang2016.net) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/bisang2016) are available for your visit. Resignation, step-down, overturn, evacuate the blue house, stop and retire, whatever words people use to call for, the president Park Geun-hye and her aides involved in the Gate scandal must resign with no doubt and their corruptions have to be thoroughly investigated to clear off. PSPD will actively participate in the Action for Resignation and make all efforts for the victory of the people.

Victims of the National Election Law including General Election Network held a Talk show
The Civil Political Forum and the Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea held <Case Presentation: Victims of the National Election Law hope for the revision> on 16 November at the National Assembly. The current election law is too general and excessively regulated that it fundamentally constraints the right to vote of voters who want to participate in politics. In every election season, the National Election Commission and the Police have contracted voluntary activities of voters by unfairly executing the law. The last 4.13 general election wasn’t an exception that many civil and social organizations and ordinary voters have been indicted even though they just tried to approve policies of candidates, that was, legitimate movement. Therefore, the court should swiftly rule that the General Election Network is innocent and the National Assembly must revise the Election law as soon as possible. 

Lee Jae-yong, Samsung and Chaebol to be punished for bribery

It is easy to find problems of typical economy-politic cronyism in Park Geun-hye Choi Soon-sil Gate. Prosecutors said in interim investigation report to apply various charges but the charge against Chaebol for providing bribes to park and Choi was totally omitted in the bill of indictment. Park Geun-hye has discarded the promise for democracy in Economy and granted wishes of the business field giving all sorts of favors to Chaebol. Civil organizations including PSPD, Minbyun, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Federation of Korean Distribution are calling for applying bribery charges and following strict punishment because Chaebol is another major group in the center of the scandal. Hence, they decided to accuse Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman, Park Sang-jin, president of Samsung Electronics, President Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil for providing and accepting bribes and breach of trust. With the accusation they tried to stress out that all unlawful transactions have been taken for handing over the Samsung management to Lee Jae-yong. Suspicious merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, wrongful mobilization of national pension fund, Samsung’ direct financial support to Choi Soon-sil and her daughter and Samsung life Insurance’s purchase of Samsung C&T shares are all related to the succession process. Especially, complete probe should be executed in regard to using national pension money for the illegal merger and all the responsible involved in. Then, fair punishment should follow since it incurred a great loss and damage to ordinary citizens.    

March and actions of citizens for resignation of Park Geun-hye government

Can we call it a nation? Sighs and angers of the people are boiling to explode. Candle rallies started with 50,000 increased to 200,000, 1.35 million and then continued with more than one million candles throughout the nation. Despite of these protests, the President Park refused to step down that the chaos didn’t get settled down. Hence, citizens have responded with actions and showed the power of sovereign during the November. Several hundreds of people accumulatively have come out to the street to protest but there has been no single accident. Rallies and marches have gone on in peace. People express their voices by horning, lighting out, one-person demonstration, hanging a banner at home, stickers on vehicles, rallies in neighborhood and hanging posters “Resignation will solve the all” at stores and homes. Park must leave the office promptly with her administration she appointed. The press and the prosecutors have to awake and admit their faults, and try to reform themselves from head to foot. The people will achieve the victory.   

Demonstration to denounce prosecutors who protect monopolizing national administration

PSPD and People’ Action for Park Geun-hye resignation held a rally on 17 November denouncing prosecutors who have protected suspects of monopolizing national administration. The Prosecutor office has recently expanded a special investigation bureau in order to probe Park Gun-hye Choi Soon-sil Gate but it has lingered and been very generous to suspects from the beginning when allegations on Mir and K sports foundation arose. Choi Soon-sil and the core people concerned were summoned late having enough time to destroy evidence and convenience was provided to Chaebol. The trust on prosecutors has dipped down to the ground. Therefore, more than 300 citizens protested in front of Gangnam station denouncing prosecutors and calling on them to carry out fair investigation on the president Park as a suspect, and marched to the Supreme Prosecutors Office. After the rally, prosecutors named the president Park a suspect on 20 November but has not been moving forward since Park rejected the probe shielding herself with ‘immune from prosecution’. It is clear that there are allegations on serious crimes followed by indictment but if the investigation can start after the resignation, all documents and evidence would disappear by then. Keep giving indulgences to a suspect and delaying investigation would make the prosecutor complicity. Watch and pressure on prosecutors will continue till they put hands in proper investigation            

Even during the chaos, Park government signed on General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) 

While the people do not approve legitimacy of Park administration even for a single day, General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was laid, decided at cabinet council and approved by the President Park on 22 November in spite of strong opposition of the people and the National Assembly. The agreement is a systematic device to install trilateral Missile Defense Net of Korea-US-Japan that it supports collective self-defense of Japan and head start of attacking North Korea. It would lead to an agreement for mutual provision of commodities and services between two nations eventually developing the relationship to military alliance. The agreement has no benefits but harms and it is not valid since the government forced the agreement without having the ratification of the National Assembly.

 
Three consecutive victories of the Public Law Center for injunction to suspend prohibiting march

Lee Cheol-sung, Police chief said on 21 November at press briefing that march in the Yulgok Road area would be allowed if more than three million protesters take the street at the 5th general people action for park’s resignation. However, march both in the Yulgok and Sajik road should not be banned regardless of number of protesters. The court ruled earlier that march to Changseong-dong annex of the government complex closer from the Blue House and Samcheongdong road must be secured. The freedom to Assembly is a basic element of democracy and significant basic right secured by the constitution. It is not something that police can decide according to their will. That’s why Seoul Administration Court said that prohibiting the march on 5, 12 and 19 November were not reasonable. On behalf of the People Action, public law center of PSPD filed an injunction to suspend prohibiting march for three occasions and they were accepted by the court. The police must remind to themselves that their duties are to secure the freedom to Assembly and Demonstration, and make sure people are safe while exercising the right.      

People Power! 
This month of PSPD

How was your new year? PSPD has tried to be with citizens who hit the streets and squares in spite of cold. The first candle rally has started on 29 October last year and the Constitutional Court is going to make a decision near at hand. However, people want a perfect victory not noncommittal decision. Restoration of the democracy and enhancing people’s sovereignty are musts. Park Gen-hye, Choi Sun-sil, Lee Jae-yong and such powers must be punished and deep rooted dark era should be cleared. People are longing for new days in which democracy and ordinary people are alive to breathe. 

Hence, PSPD has done its best to be together with citizens hit the streets and squares last January and February because we are the one who have to and will make new days for the people.

  
PSPD submitted a written opinion on the impeachment to the Constitutional Court.

PSPD has submitted a written opinion to the Constitutional Court on 22 February urging to uphold impeaching the President Park swiftly. The first ground is the violation of duty to protect lives of the people and the safety. The president takes a responsibility and a liability as a head of crisis management to place all capacity to rescue people and direct every single situation but Park has failed to give specific orders and appropriate measures to settle emergency situation where 476 lives were at stake. In addition, she neither played a role as a control tower desperately needed nor move, control, direct to mobilize resources the government and private organizations have. There were little work done to judge the situation and prepare for appropriate measures based on collecting and analyzing data which are mandatory for handling large scale accidents.

Secondly, the president Park has accepted bribes from Samsung and made deals with Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics. The written opinion argues that it is an abuse of power and privatizing the public authority given by the people and violation of constitutionalism. She has destroyed integrity of public officers and fairness in executing official duties. Furthermore, directly and indirectly involving in succession of Samsung group management and influencing its process and outcomes have damaged and threatened the economic order which is based on the order of market economy stated in the Constitution. PSPD also criticized the defense counsel of Park who tried to delay the decision on the impeachment trial and strongly demanded to finalize it to uphold before Lee Jeong-mi, a constitutional judge to retire.

Forum on problems and solutions for forced THAAD deployment 
Seongju and Kimcheon of Kyungbuk province have kept protesting against THAAD deployment and many people worrying about South-North Korea relationship and peace in Asia have been carrying out Anti-THAAD movement without wavering. One of the main slogans shouted at candle rallies started on 29 October last year was ‘No THAAD deployment’. Nevertheless, the National Assembly and the politics arena haven’t responded disappointing the people care for the peace. Hence, PSPD has held a forum on 16 February to discuss problems and solutions for forced THAAD deployment in cooperation with ‘People’s action against THAAD deployment’. It reviewed whether approval of the National Assembly is required to deploy THAAD in terms of the Constitution and verified contents of the agreement between Korea and the US. It also checked if there has been any illegality in the process and discussed roles of the National Assembly facing the deployment pushed forward by the Park government. 

Will stop insufficient legislation, punitive damage compensation system
The subcommittee for Bill Review under the National Policy Committee of the National Assembly agreed to adopt punitive damage compensation system for the Product Liability Act which imposes a manufacturer to compensate up to three times to the life, body or property of a person caused by a defect of a product. Unfortunately, three times compensation would not serve the purpose because punitive damage compensation does not provide sufficient compensation to victims of illegal acts and it is not strong enough to alarm and prevent similar wrongful conducts. Therefore, PSPD has requested to enact punitive compensation system on 21 August last year which does not set upper limit of compensation by law in order to prevent reoccurrences in case of damage to life and body by intention or serious faults. 
According to government data as of 9 February 2017, 5,432 victims and 1.131 death caused by humidifier disinfectant have been reported. Despite of seriousness, the National Assembly has not prepared proper measures yet. The National Policy Committee of the National Assembly must stop adopting three times compensation instantly. Concerning anti-social, irresponsible and illegal conducts infringe life and body of a person by intention or serious faults such as Oxy disaster, PSPD urges the committee to re-consider it to adopt punitive compensation without set upper limit so that the purpose of the system can give effects.
 
 
Permanent special prosecutors

that is, an investigation bureau for corruption of high ranked government officers required 

Park Young-su, a special prosecutor has received a warm support from the public because he is doing a great job as a special prosecutor. Arresting Kim Ki-choon, Cho Yoon-sun and Lee Jae-yong is something no one has ever done for the last several decades and ordinary prosecutors could never imagine to do so. What made this possible? The answer is ‘Special Prosecutors’ who are independent from current powers and the prosecutors. Then, how about establishing a permanent special prosecutor agency which would always watch, check and investigate the power, authority and high ranked officers closely?  That is, investigation bureau for corruption of high ranked government officers as you all know. Reforming Chaebol, prosecutors, the press and politics is what candle rallies think the most important and one of core tasks to achieve it is the establishment of an investigation bureau.

Demand to amend poisonous clauses of the National Election Law
Do you remember oppression against the General Election Net last year that offices of PSPD and the Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, and residents of activists were seized and searched? 22 activists of the Net have been unfairly prosecuted by the Park government and their trial is underway. The second and third trial took place on 2 and 3 February and the fourth one will be held in March. Besides legal struggle to prove that fair movements of voters are innocent, PSPD is trying to change poisonous clauses of the National Election Law which provides a ground to prosecute the Net.

It has made card news pointing out problems that the Law is filled with ‘not allowed’, and carried out signature collecting and candle rallies demanding the amendment. Park Geun-yong, deputy secretary general and Cho Sung-dae, head of National Assembly Watch Center of PSPD have written columns in the press suggesting revision of the law which forces people to keep silence. A National Assembly discussion was held in respect to the reform on 15 February. Taking this opportunity, we could hope for removal of poisonous clauses which blocks the freedom of expression and the right to participation of voters. In addition, it would be good to lower down the legal voting age to 18 and older and adopt final voting and mixed-member proportional voting system. PSPD will move actively this year to reform the Election law.
 

People Power 2017
This month of the PSPD
 

It is April which is in the interim of March, the president Park was impeached for monopolizing national administration and May, and a new president will be elected. We should keep the fever and the flow of candle light civil revolution started last October to make a good nation and a society.

Declaration of Rights of Candle light announced

Impeaching a president does not simply make a nation and a society brand new. Civil forums were held throughout the nation both in small and large scale to discuss how to build a new society while candle rallies filled the streets in January and February protesting against Park Geunhye-Choi Sunsil gate and demanding the resignation of the president. Holding a general discussion of citizens is another activity that PSPD has put efforts on besides carrying out successful candle rallies as a major participating organization for ‘Emergency People Action for Park Administration to step down’. 

<2017 Korea, be prosperous> a general civil forum was held at Changchung gymnasium on 18 February and more than 1,500 citizens participated to talk about declaration of rights of candle light. As a working organization, PSPD has organized opinions of citizens and developed them into a declaration till early March in cooperation with other civil organizations and voluntary activists. <Declaration of Rights of Candle light> was announced on 11 March, the next day President Park was impeached after having a Scheme Committee composed of 50 members recommended by each group of the forum confirmed the draft, and main contents were as follow. △ Candle rally is an action of sovereign to reform representative democracy and advance direct democracy △ Candle rally is a direct action of sovereign that does not tolerate abuse of public power for a previliged group △ Candle rally is a legitimate protest against all kinds of discrimination and inequality which bear corruptions and privileged power △ Candle rally is a judgment for the power which oppress conscience and freedom to expression, and control the press, and for the press who cooperate. Full text of the declaration can be found in website of PSPD.   

Peace Action Day and Peace Bus, protests against THAAD

Process of adopting Anti-ballistic missile system THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is forcibly pushed forward for the US army residing in Korea to use. The US seems to think that a new government elected by upcoming presidential election would take different policy from Park Geun-hye administration. By bringing THAAD equipment in Korea without a notice, they asked for criticism of attempting holdout. Hence, peace buses headed to Seongju in Kyungbuk province on 18 March from all around the nation. More than 5,000 citizens gathered in to commence <Taking Peace Steps for total withdrawal of THAAD deployment plan>. PSPD joined in as a leading organization for ‘National Action for No THAAD deployment in Korea’.

An urgent petition <National Assembly should stop stubborn THAAD deployment> was carried out for 10 days from 16 to 26 March. It demanded △ National Assembly to request jurisdiction dispute and provisional disposition to suspend regarding forced THAAD deployment by government △ National Assembly to vote to impeach Han Min-gu, a defense minister who has impelled THAAD deployment violating the Constitution and laws.
 

Policy proposal and Voter’s campaign for ‘Refresh Korea’
A presidential election is just a process of selecting a person who will accomplish jobs of a president. It is a chance to collect desires of citizens for a new nation and a government, and reflect them in national policies and assignments. PSPD has worked hard to make a better society and it is trying to take upcoming presidential election as an opportunity to realize it. 

Therefore, PSPD has released <Can you call it a nation? PSPD’s policy suggestions for the 19th Presidential Election> on 27 March for voters and presidential candidates to hear. There are three core agenda which all candidates are hoped to adopt; reform of election law which does not reflect people’s opinions, reform of prosecutors who obey the Blue House and reign over the people, and income security to support basic livelihood. 

PSPD is doing its best to check and analyze major election promises of presidential candidates from each party. In cooperation with Hankook daily, it will inquiry and exam promises whether they look rosy only on surface and if implementation plan is clear. Inquiry letters asking stances and promises on important sectors have been sent to candidates since 23 March and answers are being received and analyzed.    
 

“Let’s change the Election Law before the presidential election”
Convention for Declaration of the People and National Action Day

PSPD held ‘Declaration of the People for the National Election Law reform’ on 15 March in front of Sejong Cultural Center front stairs and argued that the first agenda after impeachment of the president is to reform the Election Law. Participants requested to secure voters age to 18 years and older, and improve the law because it currently controls and punishes expressions and actions of voters which may influence the election for maximum 180 days prior to a vote. In order to increase representation and reflect voter’s choice and voices, it asked to adopt mixed member proportional representation to allocate seats by votes on a party, and runoff voting for presidential election. After declaration was announced, more than 100 participants marched to Bosin Bell in Jongno.

On 22 March, ‘Simultaneous National Action Day demanding reform of the National Election Law’ was held. In Seoul, one person demonstration was carried out in front of each party office; the Minju, People’s Party, Bareun Party and Liberty Korea and candidates including Moon Jae-in, Ahn Hee-jeong, Lee Jae-myung, Ahn Cheol-su, Yoo Seung-min and Nam Kyung-pil. Civil and Social organisations have taken their parts in that press conference and one-person demonstration took place urging the reform of the law at more than 30 locations. 
 

Published comprehensive report on prosecutors during four years of Park Geun-hye government
PSPD has published a report on prosecutors of Park Geun-hye government every year and ‘Deprived justice, sunken prosecutors’ a comprehensive report for four years of her administration has released in the last week of March. The title of the first year report was ‘Prosecutors, failed to reborn as prosecutors for the people’ and the second one was named ‘Political Prosecutors, falling deeper into swamp of abnormality’. The third one was called ‘Prosecutors, serve the power and reign over the people.

For the purpose of reforming prosecutors, it is necessary to record faults and status, and let them remembered. Thus, PSPD published <Report on prosecutors during five years of Kim Dae-jung government at the end of his administration. No report was made for Noh Moo-hyun since reform didn’t seem quite necessary. However, publishing reports resumed in Lee Myung-bak government.

PSPD has fully recorded how prosecutors haven’t hidden their true face as political prosecutors serving the blue house during four years of Park Geun-hye government. How they have abused and misused their powers but negligent to investigate current powers are precisely written. Expenses to print and distribute reports were covered by online contribution of citizens. Prosecutor reort is available on website of PSPD.     

Court confirms to support a request to disclose security education movie which has shocked primary school students
On 9 March, the Supreme Court upheld PSPD’s demand to withdraw a decision of the Defense Ministry to reject to disclose patriot education movie. The ground of the lawsuit happened in 2014 when the Defense Ministry executed security education for primary school students under the name of ‘patriot education’. The movie made for this had to stop playing because students fell in shock while watching it. 

According to authorities, the movie seemed to be made to implant unconditional patriotism and hostility to North Korea. The Ministry seemed to fear for criticism that refused to disclose the movie. Therefore, PSPD has submitted a formal request for information disclosure in order to check contents and the truth of the security education. The Ministry has refused it so that PSPD has filed a lawsuit in August 2015 against the Ministry’s decision not to disclose. At the first and the second trial, court said decision of not to disclose violated the law. In one year and seven months from the start of a legal action, the Supreme Court confirms to support PSPD. 

The Defense Ministry argued that opening the education movie would damage national security since the movie tried to raise hostility to North Korea. However, the Court accepted PSPD’s argument that it is vague to judge damages and interests on the national security when movie is disclosed while social review and discussion regarding security education status seemed necessary for public interest. The next action will be taken upon recipe of the movie from the Ministry. Taking this opportunity, it is required to improve ingrained and irrational decision of not to disclose information of the Defense Ministry. 
 

People Power 2017
This month of the PSPD

Greetings to members. The Presidential Election on 9 May is just around the corner. Some people call it ‘Rose Presidential Election’ but majority name it ‘Candle Presidential Election’. As the word ‘Candle’ shows, it is an accomplishment of candle rallies taking place in the course of candle revolution so that it has to reflect spirits of candle citizens. 

With the mind of carrying on civil candle revolution, PSPD has actively moved to respond to the presidential election, anti-THAAD and urge to eradicate deep-rooted evils last April. 
 

‘2017 Action of Presidential Election Sovereign’, establishes and carries out various campaigns. 
 
Civil, Social and Labour organisations which have worked for democracy, human rights, environment, ecology and livelihood of the people have established ‘2017 Action of Presidential Election Sovereign’ on 4 April. The Action focuses on four agenda; △ Campaign to collect wishes of the people and make suggestions △ Campaign to assess presidential election promises of major candidates △ Watch election process if government unfairly intervenes and/or malpractice takes place △ Secure citizens’ right to vote (voting and political expressions). 
Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to ‘2017 Presidential Election Audition’ that citizens can review important policies of candidates and cast a vote for or against.  

 
 
“Listen to the voices of candles”, 22nd and 23rd People’s Action took place

Candle revolution has to continue because impeaching a president does not automatically make a nation and a society brand new. Thus, Action for resignation (Emergency People Action for resignation of Park Geun-hye government) keeps carrying out general candle movement whenever a critical issue comes out. The people are demanding to judge powers monopolized the national administration and remove deep-rooted evils. On the other hands, they raise their voices for reforming Chaebeols, realizing democracy in economy, respecting labour and reviving people’s livelihood to resolve severe polarization, hardship and unfairness. Furthermore, people worry about tension of confrontation and clash in Korean peninsula. Hence, the 22nd and 23rd People Action held on 15 and 29 April appealed that any confrontation and armed clash should not break out. The Action for resignation and candle citizens will put all efforts to make upcoming presidential election as candle election, livelihood election, and that brings the peace and creates a good nation.   

PSPD, Window for Public and Woori Research released 2nd public opinion poll 

PSPD, non-profit public research network ‘Window for Public’ and Woori Research surveyed 1,003 people on 12 April to get public opinions. First of all, 56.5% more than majority respond that THAAD deployment process must stop and a decision whether to proceed needs to be made by next administration while 38.5% support that it can be proceed under acting president Hwang Kyo-an administration. Regarding to approval of the National Assembly, 62.2% say necessary and 33.2% not necessary. In respect to current National Election Law, 27.2% respond ‘no problem’ while people argue for reform because of restrictions on the right to expression reach 52.8%. 79.6% agree to establishment of an investigation bureau for corruptions of high ranking officials and 57.1% support direct election for directors of regional prosecutors.

In addition, responses on social and economic policies are as follow. △ 66.2% agree to increase minimum hourly wage to 10,000 won △ 59% support to increase basic elderly pension △ 76.1% support for ‘Illness allowance’ which provides set amount to workers who are not able to work because of illness besides industrial accident △ 80% say to increase corporate tax for Chabeol and large conglomerates △ 81% favor to legislate special act to protect business categories for small and medium business △ 65.6% agree to adopt strict regulation for shopping mall complex run by Chabeols. The results of this survey correspond to candle opinions that determined and effective social and economic policies are required to resolve severe polarization, inequality and hardship of our society. All political parties and presidential candidates have to listen to these voices and reflect them in promises and policies.   
 
Request to inspect Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOICA for intervening in Korea Aid and concealing it 

PSPD has requested an Inspection for Public Interest to the Board of Audit and Inspection in respect to the case that Foreign Ministry and KOICA have concealed intervention of Blue House and Mir foundation of Choi Sun-sil in Korea Aid, ODA project in Africa. Even though their unlawful involvement was found at the National Assembly inspection last year, the Ministry hasn’t clearly explained but rather ordered KOICA, an affiliated organisation to omit documents. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOICA have committed dereliction of their duty and misfeasance by aiding and abetting Park Geun-hye and Choi Sun-shil in abusing ODA for their personal interests. Therefore, they need to be investigated followed by punishment and adopt remedial measures to prevent reoccurrence. The Board of Audit and Inspection has to inspect if systematic order or impose of higher authority or deliberate ignorance forced the ministry to make an unfair order and KOICA to obey it. Specifically, concerned persons to be investigated include not only a ministry officer who sent an email to KOICA employee, director of development cooperation division, vice minister and minister of the foreign ministry but also board of director of KOICA and president of Korea Aid project. The inspection has to find any dereliction of duty and misfeasance of the concerned party and ask them to take a responsibility followed by proper punishments for their illegal and unjust acts.
   

Active movement for ‘No THAAD’

Deploying THAAD is being pushed forward for US army residing in Korea to use even at this moment. While a new government formed after the presidential election is expected to take different policy from Park Geun-hye administration, the US has stealthily brought THAAD equipment into Korea without a notice. That is why people criticize by calling it holdout or sneaky THAAD. At present, Seongju and Kimcheon residents, Won Buddhism monks and national peace and civil organisations are devotedly moving to stop THAAD in Seongju of Gyeongbuk province. The Civil Peace Forum and the National Action to stop THAAD which PSPD is actively participating have hold press conferences and rallies urging to stop all the process concerning THAAD deployment including land supply. THAAD is very important issue that an acting president Hwang Kyo-an has neither responsibility, authority or legitimacy to decide and force. At least, the next administration has to thoroughly review before deciding what to do and take a step of getting ratification of the National Assembly.    

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.