The Government is doing all that it can
to prevent O20 struggle
The progressive sector of Korea have been active with preparations
for the O20 struggle coming up and interest and participation is
higher than ever.
Groups in the preparatory committee are busy organizing and coordinating
for the struggle. A joint concert and culture festival was held
a few days ago, in which actors, bands, and musical artists were
present to voice their opposition to neo-liberal globalization,
and international financial institutions. Students have been holding
rallies, discussions, and other events with the purpose of raising
awareness among the public about the effects of investment treaties
and globalization. Many joint discussions and debates have been
held on the effects of globalization.
Actor Moon Sung-Geun's speech at the concert: "Koreans related
to the
movie industry have been involved in a year long struggle against
plans by the government to liberalize the movie industry by agreeing
to an investment treaty with the U.S. If this treaty is concluded,
U.S. capital will swamp our movie industry and we will never again
be able to movies that we make and we produce. We will never again
be able to make, or watch movies that deal with our history, our
culture, our people, and our perspective. The Korea-U.S. bi-lateral
investment treaty is just another form of cultural imperialism.
We oppose neo-liberal globalization which destroys cultural and
artistic diversity and we declare our solidarity to the struggle
against globalization." was just one of countless voices against
investment treaties and the free trade order during the preparatory
process for the O20 struggles.
Workers have started off the struggle against the Kim Dae-Jung government's
plans for further privatization and foreign sale of the public sector
with a huge rally, jointly organized by the Korean Confederation
of Trade Unions and the Federation of KoreanTrade Unions, on the
8th against plans for re-structuring and privatization(close to
50,000 workers took part in this struggle). The National Health
Insurance Corporation Union (and their 10.000 members) has decided
that they will go on strike for the duration of the summit meetings
and are planning on gathering in Seoul to participate in the O20
struggles against globalization. The Korean Metal Workers Federation,
the largest affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions,
is currently going through a discussion process to decide if they
will do the same. The National Street Vendors Union, angered by
the government's decision to clear away street vendors for the Meetings
(in the process denying them of their livelihood) have resolved
to initiate an all out struggle against the government's oppression
at the O20 struggle as well.
The joint independent media project group for ASEM 2000 has been
working hard to bring the live voices of the people leading up to
the O20 struggle. Independent media activists have been busy reporting
on the preparations for the O20 struggle, and the materials they
have produced have been piling up. We are in the process of converting
this material into English, our first visual data is being uploaded
on to our homepage as we speak. Many articles and updates have been
written and updates sent out. Visit their work at the KoPA homepage!!(http://antiwto.jinbo.net)
The government is doing all that it can to prevent the success of
this struggle. A recent news article reported on the government
putting pressure on the police and corporations located in the vicinity
of the ASEM tower to ban any demonstrations or rallies in the area
during the meetings. As in Seattle, the area around the conference
area will be off limits during the duration of the meetings, and
as in Prague. Around 30,000 policemen will be stationed to block
demonstrations at the site of the meetings. A clash seems unavoidable
at this point in time.
We have received many messages of solidarity and support from activists
abroad, but as we have let you know in previous newsletters, it
is vital for our movement that progressive activists and organizations
support us and our cause. We once again ask that you let other organizations,
activists, and contacts about this struggle. Organize discussions,
organize actions if possible, and please let us know about your
thoughts. Your solidarity will
be a great help to our common cause. The pieces for an exciting
struggle are falling into place, every one of your messages of support
count!!
The two joint coalitions organizing for the O20 actions in Seoul
are:
-The Korean People's Action Against Investment Treaties and the
WTO (KoPA) is a people's network opposed to the MAI and the WTO,
composed of more than 40 social, labor and citizen's movement organizations.
Its aim is to make people recognize clearly the negative effects
of the WTO, and also to stop the on-going negotiations of Bilateral
Investment Treaties(BIT) between Korea and U.S / Korea and Japan.
KoPA focuses on four issues mainly; first, opposition to the investment
treaties and the WTO. Secondly, control of transnational financial
capital, thirdly, cancellation of foreign debt and redistribution
to people, and the lastly stopping the IMF's SAPs. It also stress
the importance of international solidarity in the development of
its struggles.
-The People's Rally Committee is a composed of the major people's
organizations in Korea, including the Korean Confederation of Trade
Unions(KCTU), the Korean Farmer's League(KFL), and the National
Union of the Poor. It organizes The People's Rally to defend the
people's livelihood and basic rights against capital and the government's
neo-liberal policies
The Struggle of the People Continues in Seoul!!
An Immediate Stop to Neo-Liberal Globalization!!
More information on the actions can be seen at: http://antiwto.jinbo.net
Regular updates on the preparations for the ASEM action can be heard
through the internet broadcasts at: http://cast.jinbo.net/news/yundai.html
Contact us at: kopa@jinbo.net
Korean People's Action against Investment Treaties and the WTO(KoPA)
/ People's Rally Committee
** This newsletter is originally from the Policy and Information
Center for International Solidarity (PICIS: http://picis.jinbo.net)
Newsletter Team |