KCTU Raises 4.6 Billion Won for General Strike Fund... 'Full-Scale Anti-Yoon Seok-yeol Struggle'

by Kim Youngwon

Published 24 Apr.2023 18:35(KST)

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has decided to raise 4.6 billion won as a 'general strike fund' necessary to confront the Yoon Suk-yeol administration this year.

On the 24th, the KCTU announced this decision after holding the 76th Extraordinary Delegate Conference at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province.

The KCTU stated, "This fund is needed for continuous struggles throughout the first year of the Yoon Suk-yeol regime, extending into the second half of this year," adding, "We will fully mobilize anti-Yoon Suk-yeol struggles through the May general rally, the minimum wage struggle in May and June, the general strike in July, and all-out struggles in the second half of the year."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They continued, "To overcome the expected attacks from the regime and capital during this year's general strike and to carry out a resolute struggle, union members and field officials must trust and step forward with the KCTU," adding, "We will maximize the social impact of the general strike through the fund raising."

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, announced at a press briefing in February that the anti-government struggle would be fully mobilized with a general rally in May and a large-scale two-week general strike in July.

The KCTU plans to raise the fund by collecting money from about one million union members by the end of next month. It is estimated that by collecting at least 5,000 won per regular union member, 3,000 won per irregular union member, and 2,000 won per short-time labor union member, they can raise 4.6 billion won.