The Forklift Of The Kim Dae-Jung Government Stabbed

["Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Forklift Of The Kim Dae-Jung Government Stabbed
Daewoo Autoworkers In The Heart.

Korean Metal Workers Federation
Metal Workers  KMWF-KCTU

February 21, 2001


02/19/01
At around 17:50 yesterday two choppers were hovering around the sky of the
Daewoo Pupyong plants and hundreds of riot police were following right
after 4 forklifts which were removing the barricades of 4 gates of the
plant.

At 18:00 1000 riot police finally entered the plant and the rest of them,
3100 surrounded the plant to arrest worker. 200 workers in the plant
resisted against the police with stone and firebottles but 800 workers and
family with children could not resist against 4100 riot police. The sky of
the plant was overspread with smoke of the burning tires and furniture.
Frightened workers were running and children and wives of the workers were
crying. According to one of witness, wife of a striker, a three-month
pregnant woman was hit by riot police and police by force separated
children from their mothers. The police treated the wives of the strikers
as criminals. After mothers were taken out of the plant, children were left
surrounded by riot police.

Two hours before the attack by riot police, 800 workers including their
family were resisting against police trying to enter the plant. Workers
organized their defensive team with 200 union members at front of the plant
gate. They were fighting against riot police with iron pipes, stones and
turning water hoses on the riot police trying to enter into the plant.

There were 400 workers and students protesting and denouncing riot police
200 meters away from the gate. 1000 riot police also prevented them from
getting closer to Daewoo plant. The 400 workers and students were gathering
in front of the plant to support workers struggle.

However, riot police with 4 forklifts came into the plant and arrested
workers. Most of workers could safely run away from violence of the police
but 80 workers were caught by riot police and taken to 4 separate police
stations in Pupyong City.

At around 21:00 Daewoo autoworkers and metal workers from other unions
gathered in Sangok cathedral to reorganize strikers to recapture the plant
where riot police are occupying.

02/20/01
At 14:00 3000 workers and students rallied to recapture the plant. At the
rally Dan Byong-ho, president of KCTU declared the all out struggle against
the Kim Dae-jung government after denouncing that ÄúThe Kim Dae-jung
government is implementing neo liberalism by dismissing Daewoo autoworkers
by force for the interests of GM and TNCs. The government is selling
workers lives to TNCs. The government uses violent measures not to
criminal, formal CEO, Kim Woo'Äìjung but to workers. Now KCTU declared the
struggle for the resignation of KIM Dae-jung government.

The protesters were marching to the plant to recapture it. They occupied
whole street but citizens on the street did not express their complaints
against protesters. Instead they showed their supports by applauding to
protesters.

The workers and students were demanding 'ÄúStop projected lay-off. No sale
to overseas. Stop neo-liberalism. No TNCs'Äù At the same time riot police
provoked workers and students by beating with their clubs. However, workers
and students resisted with their iron pipes and firebottles and could
arrive in front of the plant. As soon as protesters arrived in front of the
plant, thousands of riot police occupying the plant came out from the plant
to prevent protesters to get closer to the plant. The police threw stones
to workers when workers are marching to enter the plant. In the middle of
the street 30 meters away from the plant gate, there were two police buses
and the angry workers and student threw tens of firebottles to burn them
out.

Metal workers in other region were striking to protest against the violence
of the government. 1500 Daewoo autoworkers in Chang won were on 4 hour
strike from one to four o'Äôclock, 500 Daewoo autoworkers in Pusan were on
strike after lunch break, and 300 Daewoo autoworkers in Kunsan were in
strike for two hours.


02/21/01
At 14:00 3000 workers and students were gathering in Pupyong subway station
but police prevented them from getting out of the station. Riot police
arrested people getting out of the station.

At around 16:50 50 KMWF and Daewoo autoworkers occupied a part of Kyung-in
highway demanding 'ÄúKim Daejung should resign!!


How Many Workers Were Working At The Daewoo?
There are four Daewoo plants making cars, compact cars, trucks, and buses
in four different regions in Korea. Pupyong plant located in the west of
Seoul is making mid-size cars which are Lanos, Leganza, and Magnus. All of
the dismissals were from Pupyong plant.

In total there were 17000 workers employed in Daewoo Motors and in Pupyong
plant there were used to be 7000 workers employed.

So far 4327 workers were mandatorily retired since the early 1999 and on
the 16th of Feb the company announced that it would go on dismissing
another 1785 workers in addition, which caused such a big resistance of
workers.



What Was The Cause Of All The Problems At Daewoo?
The Korean economy structure mainly depends on the giant conglomerates
pursuing maximum profits based on long-working hours and low wage system
without building competitiveness and rational management. Also, the owners
of big company have close relations with politicians to have easier access
to get huge loans from bankers.

Bankers lend funds to the big business without reviewing their abilities to
raise profits and to pay back the loans.

The former CEO, Kim woo-jung could borrow huge amount of funds from
bankers with the help of politicians.

Last Monday former 34 Daewoo executives and accountants were arrested for
violation of foreign exchange laws. They had raised $20 billion officially
and unofficially $38 billion by taking out illegal foreign exchange loans
and pooling funds from its subsidiaries through falsified documents.

The ill management and inability of Daewoo companies resulted in
bankruptcy. The run-away irresponsible previous owner, Kim Woojung is now
hiding somewhere in the world. At the same time the Daewoo Motor workers
gradually were laid off and it is estimated around 3,000 workers have been
laid off. Those who were safe from the sack had to put up with the 30% of
wage reduction for the last three years.


Regardless Of Who Is Responsible For The Situation, Do Workers Have An
Alternative For The Bankrupted Company Daewoo?
Yes, Workers are demanding the public ownership of Daewoo. Union, share
holders, creditors, and public bank should have the ownership of Daewoo
Motors just like what the US, German and French government did for the
Chrysler in 1970s, VW and Renault. The government should put public funds
not for the sale but for the normalization of the company.


What Are The Demands?
Stop projected lay-off. No sale to overseas. Job security.

Daewoo autoworkers strike is politically important since their main demands
are job security that is threatened by the neo-liberal policy of the Kim
Dae-jung government for the interests of GM.

Last year Ford and GM were interested in Daewoo Motors but because of
strong union movement in Daewoo Motors, it was for sure that it would not
be easy for them to go on restructuring. Ford gave up Daewoo then GM became
the most favorable buyer of the Daewoo. But GM showed lukewarm attitude of
purchasing Daewoo. It consistently announced that the purchase of GM would
be decided based on the process of restructuring. At the same time the
Korean government want to sell the Daewoo to GM as soon as possible and
announced that it will finish restructuring process by the mid February.



Can Such A Strong Resistance Bring Their Jobs Back?
The resistance and struggle led by KMWF and KCTU are aiming not only to
secure jobs but also to stop neo-liberal policy of KIM Dae-jung government.

Right after the riot police used violent measures to the workers and family
in the plant and arrested 80 workers on the same day, KCTU and KMWF
immediately announced all out struggle against the government.

Mun Sung-hyun, KMWF president, announced that he would organize all
possible forces to fight against neo-liberalism policy and call on metal
workers solidarity.

Dan Byong-ho, KCTU president, declared the all out struggle against the
government and will go on fighting for the resignation of Kim Dae-jung
president.


How Many Workers Are Arrested So Far?
Monday 80, Tuesday more than 20 and Wednesday more than 80~85 were arrested.

The leaderships of Daewoo autoworkers union are on the wanted lists. It is
reported


How Will This Struggle Go On?
The resistance and struggle led by KMWF and KCTU are aiming not only to
secure jobs but also to stop neo-liberal policy of KIM Dae-jung government.

Right after the riot police used violent measures to the workers and family
in the plant and arrested 80 workers on the same day, KCTU and KMWF
immediately announced all out struggle against the government.

Mun Sung-hyun, KMWF president, announced that he would organize all
possible forces to fight against neo-liberalism policy and call on metal
workers solidarity.

Dan Byong-ho, KCTU president, declared the all out struggle against the
government and will go on fighting for the resignation of Kim Dae-jung
regime.

On the 22nd metal workers from nation wide will gather in Pupyong to start
struggle for the resignation of Kim Dae-jung regime. On the 24th workers of
KCTU will gather to struggle for the same demands.


Any Further Struggle Plans?
A team organized by Daewoo autoworkers to arrest former run away CEO, Kim
Woojung will leave for Paris this week. So far Korean prosecutor is busy in
arresting striking workers yet still does not issue warrant of arrest
against the run away CEO, Kim Woojung. Union and KMWF earlier distributed
wanted posters of former CEO of Daewoo worldwide.



URGENT APPEAL FOR ACTION
Our struggle is more than job security. It is the struggle against TNCs and
neo-liberalism. GM and the Kim Dae-jung government use violent power
against workers for the more flexible use of work force. The globalization
of capital is threatening workers livelihoods and their families.

For more information:
International Affairs Dept. KMWF
Fax: +82-2-712-4253

Joohee Kim
International Affairs Dept.
Korean Metal Workers' Federation
KMWF-KCTU
2fl. Taeho Bldg. 99-15 Seo-ge-dong Yongsan-ku
Seoul 140-140 KOREA
Phone: ++82-2-712-4252
Fax: ++82-2-712-4253