By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Chun Tae-il, a labor activist who burnt himself to death at the age of 22 on Nov. 13, 1970 at the height of Korea's development-oriented authoritarian rule, will be promoted as a pioneer in Korea's human rights movement.

The Chun Tae-il Memorial Foundation (CMF) announced Monday a memorial festival for Chun will be held through by grass-root organizations in October ahead of the 40th anniversary of his death.

Chang Ki-pyo, chairman of the foundation, said he would set up a committee for the festival with the labor circle, the political world and religious figures within the month.

The festival will hold a concert, samulnori performances and poetry recitals to remember Chun's spirit of humanism.

Chun has been portrayed as martyr. Park Kay-hyun, secretary general of the foundation, said that this change of approach is aimed at bringing him closer to the heart of the public.

The foundation will combine the existing labor awards and the literature awards for the "Chun Tae-il Award," and expand the number of areas to be cited.

It will start an educational program for migrant workers as well. "We will help migrant workers protect their rights by themselves," Park said.

"Chun's spirit can be summarized as a love for humanity and it is meaningful in such a polarized and materialistic society. These awards will give prominence to Chun as a universally desirable human character."

According to Park, foreign countries such as Germany gave material and emotional support when the foundation was built.

The foundation is trying to renew the image of Chun by emphasizing his humane aspects. It also published a new edition of a critical biography of Chun written by lawyer Cho Yong-nae last year, which was originally written in 1983.

Chun was born in the southeastern city of Daegu in 1948. He worked as a garment cutter at Pyeonghwa Market. By then, youngsters in sweatshops were forced to work 16-hour shifts.

He organized his colleagues to start the so-called labor movement. He requested increasing wages, shorter working hours and health check-ups for the workers.

However, his attempts to make a better labor environment were turned down by employers and indifferent politicians.

His self-immolation was reported internationally. With its social reverberations, some 2,500 labor unions were organized after Chun's death.

His life was cinematized in 1995 in the film "A Single Spark." Actor Hong Kyung-in played the role of the labor activist who took his life for the labor movement.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr