We've moved to a new site!

Join us at publicservices.international - for all the latest news, resources and struggles from around the world.

We are no longer updating world-psi.org and it will be progressively phased out: all content will be migrated to the new site and old links will redirect eventually.

Korea, Republic Of

Korean government rejects KGEU registration for fourth time

05 August 2013
Korean demonstrator with message on back

Despite hopes for a positive end to the Korean Government Employees Union's campaign for government recognition, on 2 August 2013, the government returned the application and again denied registration, stating that the constitution could still be interpreted to allow dismissed workers to retain membership.

No Trade in Public Services

31 July 2013

The recent wave of trade agreements are direct threats to the provision of Quality Public Services. These new agreements encourage privatisation, restrict governments’ ability to regulate in the public interest and create new and powerful rights for large multinational corporations. They are also a threat to democracy and accountability of government. They are being negotiated in secret, without proper consultation and will bind future governments, often regardless of the decisions of national elections, parliaments and courts. PSI urges all affiliates to understand the implications and join our allies to oppose the harmful effects of these agreements.

Korea: KGEU very close to government recognition

30 July 2013
Message to recognise the trade union KGEU

After months of active campaigning, the Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) is, at last, on the brink of being recognized by the government.

As a result of the pressure the Korean government experienced at the International Labour Conference and the intensive actions carried out with the support of Public Services International and many of its affiliates, the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labour agreed to a special negotiation procedure for union registration on 12 June 2013.

Korean education support workers hold massive rally in Seoul

23 June 2013
Hundreds of demonstrators for education support worker rights in Korea

Education support workers in Korea held a successful march and rally in Seoul on 22 June. Solidarity messages from PSI affiliates were very much appreciated and contributed to the success of the rally.

Solidarity with Korean education support workers

Public Services International has received a request from the Korean Public & Social Services and Transportation Workers’ Union, Education Workers Solidarity Division (KPTU-EdSol), an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions KCTU, a member of PSI. They are asking for PSI affiliates to send letters of support in their struggle on behalf of education support workers.

LGBT Workers

06 June 2013

PSI is committed to equality for all irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context. LGBT workers’ rights are trade union rights, and trade union rights are human rights. Trade unions are committed to fight against discrimination and for an inclusive non-violent society.

49 trade unionists, members of PSI affiliate Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU), were arrested Monday 20 May, for holding a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration.

Photos: KGEU sit-in May 2013

21 May 2013

49 trade unionists, members of PSI affiliate Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU), were arrested Monday 20 May, for holding a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration.

South Korea: 49 trade unionists arrested

21 May 2013
KGEU members surrounded by police

49 trade unionists, members of PSI affiliate Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU), were arrested today for holding a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration.

PSI at the International Labour Conference (ILC)

14 May 2013

The 107th Session of the International Labour Conference will be held at the Palais des Nations and the ILO headquarters, in Geneva, from 28 May to 8 June 2018. PSI will be working in close cooperation with its affiliates and the Workers’ Group at the ILC to make the voices of public sector workers heard!

South Korea: The world is watching!

19 February 2013
KGEU poster

On 25th February the new Korean President Park Guenhye will take office. Let’s make sure that she will not forget this day! PSI calls upon President-elect Park Guenhye to commit to the basic human and labour rights that public workers are entitled to, to recognize the KGEU and to reinstate the dismissed workers. This would be a signal of hope that would pave the way for a renewed dialogue and normalization of labour relations in the public sector in Korea.