KTU headquarters raided by prosecutors and riot police

The Seoul Central Prosecutor's Office raided KTU Headquarters and the Seoul KTU office at 5 am today. The KTU's computer server and important documents were taken by the police. Police said that they had a search and seizure warrant from Seoul Central Court and were collecting materials related to a public KTU statement critical of the current administration. The KTU headquarters was surrounded by the riot police during the raid. The police also seized other materials not related to the seizure list on the warrant, including a list of KTU National Congress participants.

17,000 teachers face punitive actions for signing petition critical of Lee Myung-bak Administration

KTU president Jeong Jin-hoo along with 15 members of the central executive were taken by the police today. The union leaders had just finished a press conference near CheongWaDae (the Presidential House) in which they had voiced concern about the government's plans to discipline 17,000 teachers. After the conference, they had begun a march to the civil petition office of CheongWaDae in order to deliver a letter of protest to president Lee Myung-bak. On the way, the police stopped them and took them into custody.

President-elect Lee Myoung-bak's policy proposals threaten education

1. President-elect Lee Myoung-bak has presented his education policies to the media before the National Assembly convenes. Clearly, he is already attempting to direct policy, when the president's office is supposed to follow the direction of the people and their lawmakers. With these policy proposals, he obviously wants to turn the education system into one of competing hagwons, where education operates as a "free market." He intends to erase the one advantage of the CSAT, which is that it allows relatively equal opportunity of access to top universities. High schools are to be ranked by "student performance" levels, and yet more specialist high schools are to be opened.

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KTU submits complaint to ILO

The Korean Teachers Union submitted a complaint to the International Labour Organization this week, charging the government with failing to consult with teacher organizations before implementing important labor reforms, and with attempting to restrain the lawful activities of teacher unions.

The ILO will ask the government to respond to the KTU's complaint in June.

South Korea has not ratified ILO Convention 87, on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, or ILO Convention 98, on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

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Education International sends message to KTU general assembly in Naju

The General Secretary of the EI sent a message for the KTU (Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union) assembly, which celebrated the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the KTU. The assembly met in Naju on May 20th, 2007.

5,000 members of the KTU gathered on the riverbank of Naju city. At the assembly, the KTU addressed the education crisis in rural communities. If it is signed by both nations, the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and South Korea will destroy rural economies and make it impossible to maintain public schools and education budgets in rural counties.

EI's message

Teachers and Rights Activists Fight for Disabled People's Education

Since 2005, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union and the Coalition for Disabled People's Education Rights (CDPER) have fought for laws that will protect and promote the rights of the disabled to an education.

In South Korea, nearly 50% of disabled adults have received no schooling beyond the primary level. Many disabled children spend most weekdays at home because they are not provided with appropriate schools, teachers, or transportation.

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URGENT call to unions in OECD member countries: Tell your government to support continued monitoring of labour conditions in South Korea

KTU statement on the recent disciplinary actions taken by the Ministry of Education

Read Education International's protest to President Roh

Middle school teachers held under national security law

Two teachers have been detained by police after prosecutors charged them with violating the National Security Law.

The maximum penalty under the law is death.

Choi Hwa-seop, who teaches at Oryun Middle School, and Kim Maeng-gyu, who teaches at Cheongdam Middle School, have been held in isolation under the Seoul National Police Agency in Jangandong since January 18th.

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read response by Education International

KTU protests attack on teachers in Ethiopia

President Jung Jin-hwa delivered a letter of protest to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and to Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane.

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Jung Jin Hwa and Jung Jin Hu elected 13th president and vice-president

In the presidential election completed December 14th, members chose Jung Jin Hwa and her running mate Jung Jin Hu. They received 56% of the vote.

The team ran under the slogan "Building the union closer to people."

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