Amidst South Koreas fourth wave of COVID, spurred on by the Delta variant, the Korean workers have upped their industrial action in opposition to the level of overwork in some industries, but the Government’s desire that people bear the personal cost of the pandemic. Koreans are opposing the social distancing measures, and say that COVID has highlighted the inadequacies of the public health system. While unions have increased their industrial action, forcing the government to the bargaining table, the government has also increased its repression and suppression of Freedom of association laws. On 2 September, 4000 police officers raided the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions building to arrest the President, Yang Kyeung-soo.

The union movement is not deterred by this and continues its militant action. On today’s program, to talk about the situation in Korea, is Mikyung Ryu – the International Director of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.