Solidarity message to KTU

South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on the evening of December 3. This, it must be said, reflects the anti-democratic political stance of the Yoon administration.

The National Public Service Law applicable to teachers in the country stipulates that they “shall not support or oppose a particular political party or a particular person in elections” and “shall not take collective action for the labor movement or other matters that are not public affairs”. This was stated by the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Convention Recommendations that “the general prohibition of political activity by primary and secondary school teachers, as long as it takes place outside the school facilities and is unrelated to education, is…. . constitutes discrimination on the basis of political opinion contrary to the Convention” (2021).

Nevertheless, based on this provision, on October 31, 2024, the Korean Ministry of Education asked the police to investigate KTU President Heeyeong Jeon, for encouraging members to participate in an online vote on the impeachment of the president. The ministry claims that the KTU President’s encouragement to participate in the online vote violates the National Public Service Law, which prohibits teachers from engaging in political activities and collective action. Earlier, the Korean Ministry of Labour sent an official letter to KTU, stating that encouraging participation in the online voting has nothing to do with maintaining and improving the working conditions of teachers or improving their social and economic status under the Teachers Union Law, and that the KTU Presidnet’s call for participation in the online voting is not considered “legitimate labor union activity” ensured by the Teachers’ Union Law, and that strict action will be taken according to the law and principles.

Both ministries further asked the police to investigate the KTU President and the related KTU members. The online vote, however, is not legally binding and is merely an attempt by civic groups to show people public opinion against President Yoon and Mrs. Kim.

KTU has always worked for “true education” without giving in to oppression, including promoting democracy under dictatorships and restoring legal status. Japan Teachers Union will further deepen its solidarity with the KTU in order to promote peace, human rights, environment, and coexistence through democratic education in both countries.