StreetNet International which represents more than 550 000 street/market vendors and hawkers from 52 affiliated organizations from 47 countries throughout the world is deeply concerned with the current situation in Seoul and considers the crackdown done by Korean government against the street vendors and other trade unionists unacceptable and those which violate human, workers` and trade unions` rights of our brothers and sisters from South Korea.
On November 14, 2015, Korean Street Vendors Confederation (KOSC) StreetNet Affiliate from South Korea held a national street vendors` rally with another national trade union organizations, namely: Korean Democratic Street Vendors Confederation (DUSVK).The rally was postponed from last year, which was scheduled to be conducted in June 2014 due to a national disease.
After the rally, both organisations and other unions such as: Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Korean Peasants` League (KPL), Korean Government Employees` Union (KGEU), and lots of other organisations, NGOs, activists and citizens got together in front of Government buildings to fight against repressions.
After a big struggle held on 14 November, the South Korean government declared to take burdens to the leaders of organisations. The targets of the government`s repression from KOSC are: Mr. Deok-Hwi Cho, President of KOSC, and Eui-Seon Youh, KOSC Policy Director.
More details can be found here: http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/717620.html It should be noted that the Gangnam-gu office of Seoul is still repressing local street vendors. KOSC will hold its big rally on 26 November, 2015.
