Labor policies under Kim Young-sam

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History of Labor Laws Amendment have been interspersed with ‘Drive, Debate, Reservation’
Translated from Daily Economy News, 17 April 1996. Government calls upon labor to share the burden resulting from economic recovery measures. On the revision of the industrial relations law, there are two opposite views: a) labor urges the amendments conform to ILO standards, b) emend the laws in such as way as will best promote economic progress.
President Kim Establishes Panel to Revise Labor Laws; Seeks to Ease Rules, Meet Global Standards
By Chon Shi-yong, Korea Herald, 25 April 1996. Heralding a drastic easing of restrictive labor laws, President Kim Young-sam yesterday ordered the establishment of a presidential commission on labor affairs to overhaul restrictive labor laws that have drawn international cricitism.
Government Warns Against Illegal Labor Activities
Korea Herald, 26 May 1996. Choi Seung-boo, vice minister of labor affairs took get-tough stance after the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) threatened to intensify labor strife beginning next week. Choi complained that some labor organizations are illegally intervening in individual labor disputes in violation of the law which bans third party intervention.
Federation of Korean Industries Discontented with Government Labor Reform Bill
Chun Dae-joo, Federation of Korean Industries, The Korea Herald, 4 December 1996. Sets out to carefully weigh its advantages, disadvantages.
Assembly Passage of 2 Bills Draws Outrage from Opposition, Labor Circles
By Shin Yong-bae, The Korea Herald, 27 December 1996. The ruling New Korea Party railroaded two controversial bills on labor and the nation's spy agency through the National Assembly in the absence of opposition lawmakers at dawn yesterday.
Hardline Kim Stands by South Korean Labor Bill
Reuter, 7 January 1997. President Kim Young-sam makes clear he will not yield to the strikers and scrap the new labor law.
Korean police raids union headquarters
From ICFTU OnLine, 10 January 1997. Raids on unions affiliated with the KCTU and upon KCTU headquarters, with arrest warrents for leaders, including Kwon Young-kil. Aim to halt the wave of general strikes.
NKP Losing Support Over New Labor Laws
From Korea Herald, 17 January 1997. Broadening popular support for strikes against the labor legislation.
Increased labour pressure on Korea in OECD countries
ICFTU Online..., 21 January 1997. Trade union pressure is increasing in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a Club of rich nations, as it meets to take a public stand on Korea’s new labour legislation.
Parties Putting Final Touches on Joint Bill on New Labor Laws
By Shin Yong-bae, Korea Herald, 1 March 1997. Final touches on compromise bills to replace the unpopular labor laws that were railroaded through the National Assembly last December in a secret ruling party session. The ruling and opposition parites feel the new laws would restore many suspended labor freedoms, and will delay for two years the carrying out of the provision making it easier for companies to lay off workers en masse.
Parliament adopts revised labour law
From ICFTU OnLine, 10 March 1997. A revised compromise labor law was adopted on 10 March. Unions still not satisfied. KCTU recognized as legal.
ALARM Action Alert—South Korea
From ALARM, 13 June 1997. Urgent request for international solidarity with JCMK for the government's prompt passage of the protection law for migrant workers. Appended is a Statement by the JCMK.