People Power!
This month of the PSPD
 

This year has almost gone that people has started to plan for year-end gatherings. PSPD is reflecting itself if its functions promised to members and citizens in the beginning of this year have been fulfilled and trying to make it up before 2016 ends. The presidential election is a year ahead. There would be lots of discussions about how a new government should be. What would be the roles of PSPD to have a year of presidential election meaningful? We would like to hear opinions from members and citizens.
    

Responding to the gate of the President Park and Choi Sun-sil, and Woo Byung-woo scandal

Choi Sun-sil gate started from corruption of Mir and K Sports foundation has been spreading out to the biggest scandal. As soon as corruption allegation was raised, FKI said to dismiss the foundations but PSPD refuted that FKI did not have a legal authority to do so. As JTBC news and other media revealed, Choi had received important documents of the Blue House. Hence, it is more than corruption and scandal of manipulating and monopolizing state affairs that the President Park also has to be investigated. Right after the reveal, PSPD presented its stance that the National Assembly has to take all necessary measures to find the truth and the President has to take a responsibility for lying and destroying national administration system.

PSPD has been watching prosecutors’ investigation on corruption of Woo Byung-woo, senior secretary for civil affairs and his family. Despite of having a special investigation team, the prosecutors concluded it not punishable in the late October. Since PSPD has laid a formal complaint urging to investigate the case in the late August, it denounced the prosecutors for closing the case without seizure to find evidences and sent a statement of reporter on 3 October to the prosecutors demanding proper investigation. The prosecutors decided not punishable because statute of limitation expired. However, PSPD disproved their decision on 10 October that violations of the Act on Special Measures for the Registration of Real Estate and the Punishment of Tax Evader Act committed in the course of reinstating propriety right for the land owned under the borrowed name were not expired, therefore, prosecutable.
 

Presented 50 problematic projects for 2017 National Budget
PSPD has operated the ‘National Budget Network’ together with other organizations since 2013 in order to improve problems with National Budget allocation. On 20 October, it presented <50 problematic projects for 2017 National Budget> with the Network member organizations at the National Assembly. To take a look at representative projects in the area of vulnerable class and national defense, fund to build new residential buildings for solders and cost for improvement are allotted far above and Fighter Experimental (F-35A) purchase budget has to be abolished while urgent welfare budget for low income household with difficult livelihood are too short. Patriot education and succeeding patriot spirit projects are not truly necessary. PSPD will survey citizens and select the worst budget, and submit them to the National Assembly for deliberation with a request of increase or reduction.    

Civil action with humidifier disinfectant victims
Humidifier disinfectant issue hasn’t completed yet. Special Committee of the National Assembly was formed to find complete truth, prepare for damage compensation plan and prevention measures but it closed its activities as of 4 October. It has made a first step to find the truth and prepare for measures but more discussions are required to have prevention and principle measures. In order to urge the National Assembly to put more efforts on the matter, PSPD has requested a meeting with lawmakers, held a press conference in front of the National Assembly and one-person demonstration requesting extension of the Special Committee operation or its reformation.  
 
Published an issue report analyzed ‘Korea Aid’ projects in which Mir Foundation is involved
PSPD has published an issue report < Korea Aid, the Worst ODA > on 17 October. It pointed out that Korea Aid established last May when the President Park Geun-hye visited African nations was one-time event which disregarded objects of ODA and principles set by the International Society to increase effectiveness.

The report has exposed the true face of Korea Aid with an explanation on background of its establishment as follow. △ Projects have been carried out by the Blue House aide behind the curtain such as Mir and K Sports foundation △ Projects are one-time events with no expectations on ODA effectiveness △ The failure is foreseen because projects are hasty made and processed △ ODA fund is simply expanded to unfeasible countries.

Nevertheless, the government plans to expand Korea Aid fund to Cambodia, Tanzania and Laos in 2017. PSPD demands suspension of Korea Aid and requests to remove all related budget of 16,073,000,000 KRW from the national budget 2017.     
    

Won a damage compensation lawsuit against credit card companies for leaking member information

In respect to leakage of personal information of Kukmin, Lotte and Nonghyup credit card members in 2004, PSPD has recruited 102 victims for plaintiff and taken a legal action for damage compensation. The Court sustained the plaintiff at the first trial on 30 September and said to compensation 100,000 KRW per person for psychological damage. It was fortunate decision in a sense that the lawsuit intended to increase responsibility of large corporations regarding the protection of customers’ personal data. 

However, the amount is very disappointing and would not be sufficient to alarm companies with piles of personal data and make them to set up strict security policy. In addition, only a few who participated in the lawsuit bearing troublesome procedure can be compensated even though there are a lot more who deserve compensation. This is why class action lawsuit system is required to save many people damaged by the same case and PSPD has been urging lawmakers to legislate Class Action Lawsuit Act. 

Protest against forced autopsy of the deceased Beak Nam-ki and operation of ‘Wall of grief and memory’

On 14 November last year, Beak Nam-ki, a farmer who came to Seoul to demand rice price guarantee was hit and fallen down by water canon during the rally. Concerning this incident, PSPD has kept asking an apology of the government and punishment of a police commander. However, Baek passed away on 25 September before these demands were responded hanging in for 317 days in an intensive care unit. PSPD and social organizations have been trying to get an apology of the government, punishment of the responsible and get rid of water cannon. They are protesting together to stop forced autopsy. 

There were silent demonstrations holding a large picket on 29 September and 4 October at the National Police Agency and the Seoul Police Administration wherein audit of the National Assembly was going to be held. ‘Wall of grief and memory for Baek Nam-ki’ was set up on 12 October at Bosingak square in Jongno, Seoul about 100 meters away from where he was stroke down. This large wall was installed for the people passing by to write a note of memory and promise and it will be operated till 14 November. Executives and full-time activists of PSPD are planning to visit the funeral whenever possible and joined in ‘Citizen Keepers’ to block forced autopsy from the Police. PSPD held a special candle session in front of the funeral thinking of the deceased Beak together with citizens on 20 October. All executives and full-time activists participated in national rallies on 1 and 22 October. On 25 October the expiry date of autopsy warrant, full-time activists went to the funeral and expressed the mind of citizens holding a picket of ‘No autopsy’. PSPD joined in making a wall of citizens and stopped the police.

 
Campaign for freedom of right to Assembly and expelling water cannon

‘Places prohibited for Outdoor Assembly and Demonstration’, Article 11 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act prohibits all kinds of assembly and demonstration near the Blue House and the National Assembly, and revising this article is one of PSPD’s projects in 2016.  In relation to this, PSPD has studied and presented current status, and held a discussion in June. The campaign of citizens’ petition was carried out to abolish Article 11 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act and expel water cannon from assembly sites in October. It is planning to submit the petition to the National Assembly in November.

On 19 October, PSPD notified the Police to organize project assembly in order to show that even a peaceful and quiet demonstration is prohibited if it is held next to the fence of the National Assembly, fountain square in front of the Blue House or in front of the Supreme Prosecutors Office next door of the Supreme Court. What PSPD planned was to hold <Circling fence of the National Assembly praying for revision of the Election Act>, <Essay contest, the young write to the President> and <Shouting four letter words demanding the reform of prosecutors to the Supreme Prosecutors which is in the center of corruption>. Despite they were supposed to be small and peaceful with 20-30 people using no microphone, the Police sent a letter of prohibition with no doubt to the PSPD secretariat office. Therefore, PSPD will appeal to the Constitutional Court in November and submit the request of revision to the National Assembly so that unfair legislation can be corrected.  

Published a report on internet comments deleted by the National Election Commission

PSPD has investigated and published a report on 4 October in regard to deleted internet comments that the National Election Commission had removed election related comments written by citizens from internet sites having the 20th General Election ahead. The analysis shows that Central, Seoul and Incheon Election Commission have deleted more than 4,000 comments from portal sites and SNS which simply cited public poll result, satirized or criticized candidates and raised suspicions on candidates insisting that they were slander or spreading false information. Unfortunately, the current law allows the National Election Commission to do so because the law excessively restricts freedom to expression of voters. In other words, voters would be repeatedly blocked to post their opinions if the law doesn’t get changed. Hence, PSPD will work harder to revise the Election Act including Clause i1, Article 93 which suppresses the voice of voters.      

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. 

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 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 2017

This month of PSPD

December has already come. Though winter is cold, I believe that you have lots of warm memories for this year. A former president Park Geun-hye, a culprit of monopolizing national administration has been arrested by the power of a great civil candle revolution and Lee Jae-yong, a vice chairman of Samsung is in prison after being sentenced for 5 years at the first trial. Cleaning out deep-rooted evils and corruptions are in process and still there are many things to be done since conservative and privileged people in power systematically disturb the process.

Nevertheless, we have to keep walking the long path towards righteous and fair society bravely and decisively.

PSPD will do the best even on the last day of the year.

Discussion held in respect to the 4th and the last recommendation of UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to Korean government

UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has conducted deliberation and given the 4th and the last recommendation to Korean government on 9 October. It has been in 8 years since the last recommendation was made in 2009. It is very meaningful in a sense that the committee inspected status of Korea and provided specific measures for improvement. Hence, a forum <Significance and measures to realize recommendations of UN CESCR> was held on 20 November at the National Assembly by National Human Rights Commission of Korea which have involved in deliberation process and ‘NGO groups to respond to UN CESCR’s recommendations’.

Court supported PSPD’s appeal and ordered the police to compensate for interrupting Sewol Ferry memorial march

In April 2015, PSPD has taken a legal action against the police for damage and compensation in regard to giving unlawful order to dismiss the memorial march which was held to remember the 1st year of Sewol Ferry disaster. Seoul Central District Court upheld PSPD’s appeal confirming the ruling of the first trial on 22 November and decided compensation of 300,000won each to 22 activists and executives of PSPD. It said, even though a part of march took place not in the course reported in advance, it does not make the whole march illegal. It is the confirmation of leading cases of the first trial and supreme court that the police was not supposed to order dismissal as far as march has neither direct threat or/and harm to other’s benefit, nor protection of the law or/and public order and safety. The police should not waste judicial resources by appealing but admit its responsibility. Furthermore, some alterations must be allowed and accepted in terms of march route and hours different from what are being reported in advance so that rallies and marches do not get interrupted or unfairly dismissed.

Urge Paris Baguette to hire bakers directly

Recently, it became a big issue that Paris Baguette has employed more than 5,000 bakers at business outlets nationwide in the form of illegal dispatch. Labor and Social Committee of PSPD is actively participating in a solidarity of more than 60 organizations <Civil and social committee to settle down Paris Baguette’s illegal dispatch and to secure labor rights of the youth labor> and urging Paris Baguette headquarter to accept direct employment measure of the Ministry of Employment and Labor as soon as possible.

Who owns DAS? Corruptions and allegations on a former president Lee Myung-bak must be investigated promptly

People are paying attention closely to corruptions and illegal conducts of a former president Lee myung-bak including DAS scandal. There are various allegations from political manipulation carried out by National Intelligent Service and cyber commander of the Army to serious economic crimes such as tax evasion, embezzlement and breach of trust. 

In particular, a special prosecutor Jeong Ho-young has confirmed that borrowed-name accounts are belong to DAS. As Article 5 of Real Name Financial Transaction Act states, all deposits in those accounts are assets not under real name so that interests and dividend income were supposed to be taxed at the rate of 99% including local tax. If weren’t, it still can be done now. Furthermore concealing offshore accounts are connected with following violations and crimes in general. ▲ Tax evasion under「Punishment of Tax Offences Act」▲ Violation of obligation to report overseas financial accounts under「Adjustment of International Taxes」 ▲ Violation of obligation to report foreign currency transaction under「Foreign Exchange Transactions Act」 ▲ Tax evasion under「Aggravated Punishment on Specific Crimes Act」 ▲ Flight domestic property under「Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes Act」 and 「Act on the prevention of Flight of Domestic Property ▲ Accepting and Concealing criminal property under「Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Property Concealment」. PSPD has been shocked by endless list while listing up allegations on MB related financial allegations. Therefore, PSPD urges authorities for comprehensive and complete investigation including prosecutors, National Tax Service, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Financial Service Commission and Financial Supervisory Service.  

Preparatory Committee for Civil Peace Court to find the truth of civilian massacre by Korean military during Vietnam War

A press conference to establish preparatory committee for <Civil Peace Court to find the truth on civilian massacre by Korean military during Vietnam War> was held on 21 November at the Press Center. The Committee pointed out that in spite of allegation has been raised for the last 20 years that Korean soldiers killed civilian, there have been no measures taken to find facts followed by responsible actions. It also explained the plan to hold civil peace court in Seoul next April when the massacre becomes 50th year in order to bring the issue to the public and clarify legal responsibility of Korean government.

At the Civil Peace Court, plaintiffs would be civilians killed or hurt by Korea soldiers during Vietnam War and their bereaved families. Defendant would be Korea in the form of reparation by the state. Holing a court is expected to result followings. Strict standard (facts) will be applied to judge civilian slaughter and the value of the peace will be spread out through recalling true faces of Vietnam War which is regarded as the most unjust war in the late 20th Century (Peace). Admitting misconducts, giving sincere apology and taking all responsibilities (Honor) would make people to think about mature Korean Society. As Korea asks Japan to take legal responsibility concerning sex slaves for Japanese Army, Korea has to admit its faults and make an apology.

10th anniversary event for ‘School of youth activists for public interest’ 

It has been ten years since ‘School of Youth Activists for public interest’ started by youth intern program in 2008. 412 young people have participated in the youth intern program and the activist school (20 sessions in total), and more are waiting to participate this winter. It was great to see graduates at the anniversary event on 25 November.

Prosecutors demand severe punishment for 22 activists of 2016 General Election Network at the first trial for violating the Election Law.

Prosecutors demand from eight-month term in prison to fine of one to five million won to 22 activists of 2016 General Election Civil Network (Net) at the final trial of the first court on 20 November. National Election Commission reported the Net for violating the Election Law and Prosecutors and the Police excessively seized and searched office and houses on 12 April last year, just one day before 4.13 General Election. Now, they even demand severe punishment for simple participants. Obviously, it is an intention to give pressure to civil society which tried to increase rights of voters and also abuse of authority to oppress people who criticize power holders.

Saenuri party, a ruling power at that time politically offended the Net insisting power behind the curtain and impure political conspiracy. However, it has been revealed that the Blue House mobilized and systematically supported conservative groups and got them to move against rallies and candidates of opposition party in order for them to lose at the General Election. Because the Net carried out voters movements and campaign ‘Don’t vote him/her’ completely by its free will and for the public interests, Park Geun-hye and Saenuri Party did not like how it worked and targeted it. The court should rule that the Net is innocence since their activities had abided the law. Moreover, National Assembly’s special committee for political reform must abolish toxic articles such as article 90 and 93 of the Election Law and slanders against candidates.