SFLC Unanimous Resolution for the Acquittal of Korean Investigative Journalists Kim Oujoon and Choo Chinwoo

SFLC Unanimous Resolution for the Acquittal of Korean Investigative Journalists Kim Oujoon and Choo Chinwoo

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Whereas, the need to defend the freedom of press and the right of journalists to do their work is essential for labor and the public; and

Whereas, trade unionists and journalists in South Korea have faced continuous attacks on their democratic rights, including the attacks on the Korean Railway Workers Union KRWU and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions KCTU; and

Whereas, the need to protect democratic rights in order to inform the public about issues such as privatization and deregulation of the economy is critical for the protection of workers and the public and,

Whereas, there have been increasing efforts to silence journalists and reporters who are exposing criminal activity and corruption; and

Whereas, Korean journalists Kim Oujoon and Choo Chinwoo, who were investigating the murders of two people connected to a family Yookyoung Foundation of President Park Geun-hye, continue to be prosecuted by the government despite an earlier acquittal; and

Whereas, after these two journalists had been acquitted by a jury in the first trial in October, 2013, the prosecution appealed to a higher court and demanded two years and three years in prison for Mr. Kim and Mr. Choo, respectively; and

Whereas, when the government blocks journalists’ rights to raise questions and suspicions concerning criminal cases, just because a relative of the president is involved in a case, the government is undermining the social responsibility of journalism; and

Whereas, journalists investigating the Sewol ferry disaster and other incidents due to lax health and safety standards and deregulation have also faced harassment; and

Whereas, the Korean National Union of Media Workers has called the arrests and prosecution unjust; and

Whereas, these attacks have been combined with further repressive actions such as the banning by the government courts of opposition political parties, including the Unified Progressive Party and prosecution of their members; and

Whereas, it is important that the Labor Movement and the American people oppose suppression of democratic rights and the freedom of association,

Therefore be it Resolved the San Francisco Labor Council calls for the Korean prosecutor and Korean government to end the prosecution of these journalists and for their acquittal,

including the dropping of all charges, and this council will send a letter to the San Francisco Korean Consulate and send a delegation before January 16, 2015 as well as sending letters to the prosecutors and urge other affiliated bodies to take similar action and

Be it Finally Resolved that this Council will send letters of support to the South Korean Judicial System urging the acquittal of these two journalists and stating that the San Francisco Labor Council supports the right of journalists in all countries to do their work without government repression and harassment.

Submitted by Allan Fisher, AFT Local 2121and Rodger Scott, AFT Local 2121, and unanimously adopted by the San Francisco Labor Council on January 12, 2015.

Respectfully,

Tim Paulson Executive Director

OPEIU 3 AFL-CIO 11

Phone: 415.440.4809

Fax: 415.440.9297