"Let's Carry on Jeon Tae-il's Spirit" Jeon Tae-il Martyr's 50th Memorial Ceremony at Moran Park, Namyangju

On the 13th, at Moran Park in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, the statue of Jeon Tae-il wearing a headband was seen during the 50th anniversary memorial service for the martyr Jeon Tae-il.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The 50th anniversary memorial service for the late Jeon Tae-il, who changed the history of the Korean labor movement and democracy, was held on the morning of the 13th at Jeon Tae-il's gravesite in Moran Park, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province.

The memorial service was attended by officials from the Jeon Tae-il Foundation, bereaved families, labor groups including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, as well as political figures such as Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, Justice Party leader Kim Jong-cheol, and lawmaker Shim Sang-jung.

The service served as an occasion to commemorate Jeon Tae-il and to reflect on the still unchanged labor environment and the increasingly difficult reality faced by workers following the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Lee Soo-ho, chairman of the Jeon Tae-il Foundation, said in his memorial address, "Although much has changed since comrade Jeon Tae-il's cry that became a flame 50 years ago, many workers are still overworked with long hours outside the scope of the Labor Standards Act," adding, "This is why we call his name in reality and seek to join hands with him."

Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province and a former child laborer, said, "Workers are dying because promised rules are not being observed in the workplace," and pledged, "Workers are human beings themselves, not machine parts or means of production, and I will ensure that the promised workplace rules are upheld."

A large banner is hung at the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 12th, when the Blue House plans to posthumously award the Mugunghwa Medal in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the late Jeon Tae-il./Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Jeon Tae-il's younger brother and labor activist Jeon Tae-sam, along with other bereaved family members, presented a medal to Jeon Tae-il's portrait. President Moon Jae-in posthumously awarded Jeon Tae-il the Mugunghwa Medal, the highest class of the Order of Civil Merit, the day before. This is the first time the Mugunghwa Medal has been awarded to a labor figure.

Jeon Tae-il, at the age of 22, self-immolated on November 13, 1970, at Pyeonghwa Market, shouting, "Observe the Labor Standards Act. We are not machines. Let us rest on Sundays. Do not overwork the laborers. Do not let my death be in vain," while holding the Labor Standards Act book.

Jeon Tae-il's sacrifice served as a turning point for society to awaken to the inherent rights of workers. His mother, the late Lee So-sun, who carried on her son's will, is also well known for dedicating her life to the labor movement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.