MARTIAL LAW: ITF Condemns President Suk Yeol’s Imposition, As Korean Union Calls For Resignation

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has strongly condemned President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to illegally impose martial law in South Korea.

According to a statement on Wednesday, the ITF’s 16.5 million transport workers stand in unswerving solidarity with Korean workers in their continued fight to defend their democracy.

The world watched in shock as President Yoon Suk Yeol illegally imposed martial law on Tuesday. Using language reminiscent of the military dictatorships of the 1980s, Yoon justified this move as necessary to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and maintain constitutional order.”

The move failed to meet the criteria called for in the constitution (Article 77) namely the existence of a state of war or similar national emergency, and has since been overturned.

“President Yoon’s anti-democratic crackdown is a brazen violation of international human rights and democratic principles,” said ITF President Paddy Crumlin. “Banning workers’ rights to strike, prohibiting political activity, and silencing protests are tactics of authoritarian regimes, not democratic leaders. These actions are nothing short of an assault on the fundamental freedoms of Korean workers.”

The Korean Confederation of Trade Union (KCTU) is calling for Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation with strike action and protests taking place demanding the protection of democracy. South Korean opposition parties have submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon over the short-lived declaration of martial law.

Paddy Crumlin, ITF’s President said: “The ITF is very proud to stand today with trade unions in South Korea who are taking such a strong stance against militarism, and in defence of their rights. Internationally, trade unions join together today and every day to say, ‘No surrender to despots, victory to Korean workers.’”

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said: “The ITF unequivocally condemns this attack on democracy by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Trade unions have throughout history been the voice of workers, calling for the rights of workers to be respected and fighting back against attempts to silence their voice. Workers in South Korea are continuing that tradition right now, by fighting to defend human rights and in opposing unlawful martial law.”

ITF affiliates the KPTU-Korean Railway Workers’ Unions and the KPTU-Seoul Transit Corporation Labor Union have strike action planned for 5 December against dangerous and unequal workplaces. The KPTU and its transport sector affiliates have declared their intention to continue collective action together with other unions until Yoon has stepped down.