Kim Jin-sook, the last dismissal of Hanjin Heavy Industries’ Yeongdong Shipyard, started walking toward the Blue House on December 30, saying that there is no retirement age without reinstatement. Senior Reporter Lee Jong-geun [email protected]
“Why are workers still starving, fired and fighting in a country where labor rights lawyers are president? Why should migrant workers freeze and die while living in green houses? Why is Kim Jin-sook, who was fired from the Chun Doo-hwan regime, a 36-year layoff? I took 34 days to get here to hear the answer. For 36 years I have been a ghost. It was a ghost to the capital that was only invisible to power. President Moon Jae-in, can you see me… .” At 2:50 pm on the 7th, Hanjin Heavy Industries’ last dismissal, Kim Jin-sook, leader of the Busan Headquarters of the Confederation of Trade Unions, stood in front of the Cheongwoon-Hyoja Community Center and raised his right arm. It has been 40 days since the walking march began in Busan on December 30 last year, demanding reinstatement and honor recovery (actual walking march is 34 days). The parade on this day, with more than 700 people participating, departed from Heukseok Station in Dongjak-gu, Seoul at 11 am, and ended in front of the Cheongwoon Hyo-dong Community Service Center after fasting farming in front of the fountain in Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-gu where Hanjin Heavy Industries’ headquarters is located, and Cheongwadae fountain in Jongno-gu. Those who urged Kim to be reinstated for 48 days in front of the Blue House fountain, met Kim on that day, hugged him, and stopped fasting and were transferred to the hospital. Commissioner Kim, who met at 12:40 on that day, in the southern area, did not lose a smile even though he had walked 400km while struggling through cold waves during the fight against cancer. For Kim, the hopeful march was a time to face and reflect on state violence, such as torture and dismissal, experienced 36 years ago. He was tortured three times and unfairly dismissed in the office of the Grand Communist Office for engaging in union activities. “When I was fired 36 years ago, including when I was tortured, the situation at the time mainly came to mind. At that time, I was just trying to avoid it, but I was able to face national violence 36 years ago myself.” The march of hope was also a’time of solidarity’. On that day’s march, fired workers such as Daewoo Bus and Korea Gates (Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd.) met with Kim. Commissioner Kim said, “It was a pity to hear the story of the dismissed workers who were only exposed to the report. Dae-in Shim (45), one of Daewoo Bus’s fired workers, said, “I felt a little bit aware of the feeling that I have been fighting for 36 years as a fired worker, so I participated in the desire to support.” At 1:10 p.m. on that day, Commissioner Kim visited the KORAIL Networks branch of the railroad union at Seoul Station and shouted “Fight for a world without layoffs.” Citizens who joined the march in Seoul held hand signs with the words “Thank you” and shouted “Cheering” “Kim Jin-suk fighting”. Oh Doo-hee (66), who had been on an early morning flight from Gangjeong Village, Jeju, said, “I was recognized as unfair dismissal by the state, but I felt that the story of Kim Jin-suk who could not be reinstated was similar to that of Gangjeong Village.” Only by returning will justice be realized.” Ahn Young-shin, 47, living in Seoul said, “I took the Hope Bus 5 times at the time of the crane farming, and it was an experience that reminded me that our social workers were connected.” “The state violence that tortured and fired just because of the union The president must declare that this is wrong.” On the other hand, at 1 p.m., the police stopped the hopeful party once in front of Seoul Station, saying, “Please divide the number of people,” and when crowds gathered in front of the Chungwoon Hyo-dong Community Center, they broadcasted warnings several times with a loudspeaker saying “Violation of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act and Assyrian Law” . However, there was no conflict between the walking participants and the police. The walking march was over, but Kim’s struggle was not over. He cried out to those with him. “We don’t know how far to go in the future. Let’s not give up. Let’s not fall down. I will. Laughing and fighting together until the end!”
On the afternoon of the afternoon of the 7th, the last day of the ‘Wish for reinstatement,’ Kim Jin-sook, leader of the Busan Headquarters, arrives at the fountain plaza in front of the Blue House in Seoul, and embraces the people who have been fighting for hunger. Joint coverage photo
By Kim Yoon-joo, staff reporter [email protected]