17 Regional General Council - REPUBLIC OF KOREA RATIFICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL CONVENTIONS WITHOUT REGRESSION

The ITUC-AP takes note that the government of the Republic of Korea has initiated the process for the ratification of 3 outstanding ILO fundamental conventions. ITUC-AP nonetheless expresses deep concerns at the Republic of Korea Government’s retrogressive revision of existing legislations, putting further restriction on the exercise of right to bargain collectively and right to strike, in exchange for the ratification itself.

The ITUC-AP reiterates that the Government of Korea has obligations arising out of the fact of their membership of the ILO to promote and realize principles according to the ILO 1998 Declaration, including the right to organize. It urges the Government of Korea to complete the procedures necessary for ratification of ILO fundamental conventions and withdraw the proposed revision bill which further restricts trade union rights. It calls upon the National Assembly to pass the ratification without imposing any conditions.