We, the undersigned, call on President Moon Jae-in and the Government of the Republic of Korea to rescind all sentences and charges against trade unionists for engaging in peaceful protest. We call for the release of all trade unionists who are incarcerated because of these sentences and charges.

Since December 2015, Han Sang-gyun, former President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), has been incarcerated.  In November 2015, Lee Young-joo, former General Secretary of the KCTU confined herself in the KCTU office to avoid execution of an arrest warrant. In December 2017 she was arrested after leaving the office to protest Han’s incarceration. The charges against both unionists relate to organizing a public protest against regressive labor law reforms put forth by the government of former South Korean President Park Gyun-hye.  For over two years, these trade unionists have been denied the right to sit down at the dinner table with their families. Several other South Korean trade union leaders remain incarcerated as well.

President Moon, you are well aware of what it is like for President Han, General Secretary Lee and the other trade unionists to suffer in jail and be denied access to their families and loved ones. You too were imprisoned once, by former President Park’s father, a military dictator, after you organized student protests. But you persevered and went on to become a formidable human rights lawyer, defending others in similar situations.

President Moon, you can be a global leader by committing your government to upholding human and labor rights. Show the world that your government acts in accordance with the values that you have espoused throughout your career. Release KCTU President Han, General Secretary Lee and the other unjustly charged and imprisoned trade unionists immediately.