By Kim Se-jeong
The International Labor Organization (ILO) renewed its pressure on the Korea government Tuesday to remove its ban on teachers expressing their opinions on political issues.
At its 103rd convention in Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO chose Korea ― for the second time, following last year ― for an individual review on the breach of rights of primary, middle and high school teachers regarding a ban on them speaking out about their political ideas. A review session took place on Tuesday (local time).
The measure is aimed at upping pressure on the government, which failed to act on the review assessment from last year, according to the ILO.
The ILO urged the government to take steps to ensure effective protection against discrimination based on political opinions, in particular for preschool, primary and secondary school teachers.
Korea was also asked ensure that concrete and objective criteria be used to determine the very limited cases where political opinion could be considered an inherent requirement of a particular job.
Korean law prevents school teachers from speaking out about their political ideas and from taking any political action or campaigning.
The Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), since its inception in 1989 has opposed the ban, fueling confrontations with the government.
An ongoing confrontation arose last year, when the Ministry of Employment and Labor stripped the union of legal status, accusing it of having refused to expel nine members who had been found guilty of making political donations during an education superintendent election.
It filed administrative litigation, and is waiting for a verdict later this month.
KTU spokesman Ha Byung-su welcomed the ILO's push.
"It is sending a message to the Korean government that it is not doing enough to improve the situation. I feel, each time, the tone is getting tougher. The ILO is really trying to help us, which I appreciate."
Korea was among 25 countries subject to an individual review, including Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Pakistan.
Established in 1989, the KTU has almost 60,000 members across the country. By law, only incumbent teachers are eligible for the membership.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) renewed its pressure on the Korea government Tuesday to remove its ban on teachers expressing their opinions on political issues.
At its 103rd convention in Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO chose Korea ― for the second time, following last year ― for an individual review on the breach of rights of primary, middle and high school teachers regarding a ban on them speaking out about their political ideas. A review session took place on Tuesday (local time).
The measure is aimed at upping pressure on the government, which failed to act on the review assessment from last year, according to the ILO.
The ILO urged the government to take steps to ensure effective protection against discrimination based on political opinions, in particular for preschool, primary and secondary school teachers.
Korea was also asked ensure that concrete and objective criteria be used to determine the very limited cases where political opinion could be considered an inherent requirement of a particular job.
Korean law prevents school teachers from speaking out about their political ideas and from taking any political action or campaigning.
The Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), since its inception in 1989 has opposed the ban, fueling confrontations with the government.
An ongoing confrontation arose last year, when the Ministry of Employment and Labor stripped the union of legal status, accusing it of having refused to expel nine members who had been found guilty of making political donations during an education superintendent election.
It filed administrative litigation, and is waiting for a verdict later this month.
KTU spokesman Ha Byung-su welcomed the ILO's push.
"It is sending a message to the Korean government that it is not doing enough to improve the situation. I feel, each time, the tone is getting tougher. The ILO is really trying to help us, which I appreciate."
Korea was among 25 countries subject to an individual review, including Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Pakistan.
Established in 1989, the KTU has almost 60,000 members across the country. By law, only incumbent teachers are eligible for the membership.
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