Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA

KoA Newsletter: Action Team Finishes 10 Days of Struggle

(nofta) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:11:10 +0900

No FTA Newsletter
Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA
www.nofta.com nofta@hanmail.net
July 23, 2007

KoA's Action Team Finishes Ten Days of Intense Struggle

Demands release of KoA officers; blocks sale of U.S. beef; meets presidential candidates; and engages solidarity with temporary workers

In response to the arrests of two Co-Chairs of the Korean Alliance (KoA) and the on-going suppression against KoA, an action team was formed, and an outdoor action camp was set up at the center of the city on July 9. About one-hundred strong each day, KoA's action team was mostly made up of activists of the new permanent coalition-front, Korea Solidarity for Progress (which operates now as a preparatory body, to be officially launched in September).

Formed out of a dire need to take action, the members of the action team came from various regions and organizations. They slept outside in the sometimes leaky tent, they ate together, and they all got up at 6AM to began each day with a renewed sense of resolution. In ten days, they, who had from various movement sectors and regions, became a single struggle unit.

The action team was unified around four main issues: 1) to demand the release of Mr. Oh and Mr. Jung, 2) to stop the Korea-U.S. FTA and block the selling of U.S. beef, and 3) to meet presidential candidates and demand their support in stopping the Korea-U.S. free trade.

The Arrests are Unjust!

Everywhere the action team went, the key message was the unjust arrests of KoA's two officers and the demand of their immediate release. The action team visited the jail at the beginning and end of the struggle period and held candlelight vigils and rallies outside the jail.

Thus far, over a hundred organizations and two hundred individuals have signed the protest letter demanding their release, including trade unions and NGOs. Within Korea, over a thousand protest letters have been sent in. However, the Roh Administration has been ignoring the concerns of domestic and international groups.

The Korea-U.S. FTA is Invalid!

One important goal for the action team was to continue the struggle against the Korea-U.S. FTA and block the selling of U.S. beef, which are still pushed through an inadequate inspection process. Even with the risk of BSE, the U.S. government has pressured Korea's Administration to sell U.S. beef to Korean consumers if Korea wants a free trade agreement with the U.S.

The action team went to ten branches of Lotte Mart, which is the first store to sell U.S. beef. At the first store, near Seoul Station, the action team broke through the police line and entered the store and protested in front of the beef display. At the end, the manager promised to not sell U.S. beef until further discussion with the headquarters and removed the beef from display. The action team attained the same promise from all the stores.

The action team also occupied the campaign headquarters of six presidential candidates, including Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak of the conservative Grand National Party as well as Chun Jung-bae, who opposes the free trade, and Son Hak-kyu, whose headquarters the action team occupied for over 24 hours. Except for Chun Jung-bae, the action team was met with resistance, sometimes by the police, but the action team was clear in delivering its message that all presidential candidates must listen to the people and any suppression of democratic rights must end immediately. KoA aims to make the free trade issue an important campaign issue for presidential election, which comes up at the end of the year.

The ten-day struggle was physically demanding at times, but the activists renewed their solidarity with each other and other organizations. The struggle against the Korea-U.S. FTA faces the difficult challenge of stopping its ratification. The suppression against KoA and the workers movement continues on. But from the look of their faces, the challenges of the struggle had already heightened their spirit and set their bodies in motion.

International Protest Letter

(nofta) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:30:45 +0900

International Protest Letter

In Protest against the Arrests of Oh Jong-ryul and Jung Gwang-hoon

We Demand their Immediate Release!

We Demand an Immediate End to Police Suppression of the Korean Alliance!

July 18, 2007

From: International Community Concerned about Democratic Principles and Economic and Social Justice

To: South Korea’s President Roh Moo-hyun

We are serisouly disappointed and troubled by the police suppression of the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA and the arrests of its two officers. We write this urgent letter to demand 1) the immediate release of Mr. Oh Jong-ryul and Mr. Jung Gwang-hoon, two Co-Chairs of the Korean Alliance and 2) an immediate end to police suppression of the Korean Alliance.

First, the arrests of Mr. Oh and Mr. Jung are a direct violation of basic democratic principles and constitutional rights. We believe that South Korea is a democratic nation that guarantees, under the constitution, the right to associate and oppose unjust practices of ruling authority. These rights are fundamental to any democratic nation, and we strongly feel that today's arrests may represent a retrogression of Korea's status as a democratic nation. In addition, the police’s disregard for their old age and health conditions shows a sign of inhumane treatment.

Second, their arrests are an infringement of international principles of political and civil rights. As a member of the United Nations, South Korea has signed on to connventions that protect and promote the advancement of social freedom and human rights. South Korea has made important democratic strides since the 1970s. We have witnessed this transformation. We urge the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, elected by democratic means, to not forget Korea’s history and to foster international and democratic principles. The rights of the people to assemble and express their voices must be protected.

And third, we demand an immediate end of police suppression against the Korean Alliance. We are aware that South Korea’s constitution (Article 21) does not recognize a permit system for rallies; only notices need to be given, which the Korean Alliance has done without fail. Therefore, we believe that the activities of the Korean Alliance is by no means illegal. The police suppression of FTA protests, which we have seen in the media, is shocking. The fact that the Korean Alliance’s activities are singled out and determined as illegal indicates a direct attack against a people’s organization and an obvious violation of Korea’s constitution.

We disapprove the decisions made by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration on the officers and activities of the Korean Alliance. Along with the recent suppression of Korean auto workers, we fear that the suppression of the Korean Alliance signals a dangerous digressive trend in Korea’s democracy. If this trend continues, we can promise the Administration that the international community will not sit still. We urge the Administration to correct its mistakes and return the rights that are inherent to the people of Korea and the world.

Signed:

Organizations (116)

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, National Office
CEPU, Electrical Division
SEARCH Foundation
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, New South Wales
Via Campesina Austria
CADTM Belgium (Comittee for Cancelation of the Third World Debt)
Conlutas (National Coordination of Struggles)
National Metalworkers' Confederation of CUT
Partido Socialista dos Trabalhadores Unificado
Canada Haiti Action Network (CHAN)
Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
Isabeau Prémont-Schwarz
Asia Monitor Resource Center
Association of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong
Globalization Monitor
Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU)
Hong Kong People's Alliance on Globalization (HKPA)
World Thought Organization
Zi Teng
Institute of Alternative Legal Services (ILSA)
La Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indigenas (CAOI)
ATTAC France (Association pour la Taxation des Transactions pour l’Aide aux Citoyens)
Europe solidaire sans frontieres (ESSF)
FTM-CGT (Metalworkers Union of France)
Public Services International
IG Metall
Campaign Genoa 2001
Stop the War Coalition
Mesa Global de Guatemala
Plate-forme haitienne de Plaidoyer pour un Developpement Alternatif (PAPDA)
Centre of Indian Trade Unions
Party of Communist Refoundation
ATTAC Japan (Association for Taxation of the finacial Transaction for the Aid of Citizens)
Coalition Paysanne de Madagascar
Consumers Association of Penang
Friends of the Earth Malaysia
Socialist Party of Malaysia
Third World Network
Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
La Asociacion Latinoamericana de Micro, Pequenos, y Medianos Empresarios, A.C.
Labour, Health and Human Rights Development
Reseau National Dette et Developpement (RNDD)-Niger
CORECAMI - AQP (Coordinadora Regional de Comunidades Afectadas por la Mineria)
La Marcha Mundial de las Mujeres
GRAIN
Migrante Metro-Baguio
Dundee Trades Union Council
South Durban community Environmental Alliance
Ecologistas en Acción
Observatorio de la Deuda en la Globalización
Centre for Protection of Right to Life and Democracy
International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, and Allied Work (IUF)
Swiss Korea Committee (KFA Switzerland)
Thai Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (TNP+)
Committee for Asian Women (CAW)
Corporate Europe Observatory
Transnational Institute (TNI)
Farmer Unions Confederating Platform
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland
ACTUP New York
Alliance for Responsible Trade
American Run to End AIDS (AREA)
Anakbayan Los Angeles
AnakBayan Seattle
BAYAN USA Southern California
Boston Korea Friendship Association
CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 626
Casa Baltimore/Limay
Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health
Change to Win
Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
Citizens Trade Campaign
Committee for Social Justice in Colombia (CSJC)
Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)
Congress for Korea Reunification
Consejo Nacional de Danza Azteca Cuauhtemoc
Cuauhtemoc Mexica Group
Educational Network for Global and Grassroots Exchange (ENGAGE)
El Polo Democratico Alternativo
End AIDS Now
Global Exchange
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
Habi Arts
Harlem Tenants Council
Health GAP (Global Access Project)
International Action Center
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Labor Rights Forum
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Justice Committee
Korean American National Coordinating Council, Inc.
Korean Americans against War and Neoliberalism
Korean Americans for Fair Trade
Laborers' International Union of North America
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Movimiento por la Paz
National Association of Korean Americans (NAKA)
New York People's Referendum against Free Trade
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Polo Democratico Alternativo
Public Citizen
Puerto Rican Alliance Of Los Angeles
Quixote Center/Quest for Peace
Sahngnoksoo
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Southeast Regional Economic Justice Network
Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice
UNITE HERE
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
Vermont Workers' Center
NW Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing

Individuals (145): See attached

Individual list.xls

International Protest Letter: Immediately Release Two Co-Chairs of KoA!

(nofta) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:03:28 +0900

The Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA (KoA)
Official Release, July 3, 2007

TO: The International Community Concerned about Democratic Principles
and Economic and Social Justice

RE: International Protest Letter against the Arrests of Co-Chairs of
the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA

INCLUDED: International Protest Letter (also attached)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SITUATION

On Tuesday, July 03, 2007, two Co-Chairs of the Korean Alliance
against the Korea-U.S. FTA, Oh Jong-ryul and Jung Gwang-hoon, were
arrested on charges of carrying out 'illegal' and 'non-permitted'
protests against the free trade agreement between U.S. and Korea. Mr.
Oh and Mr. Jung are currently detained at a police station in Seoul;
in a few days, they will be relocated to another jail where they will
await sentencing. Korea's consitution does not recognize a permit
system for rallies; only a notice needs to be given, which we have
done so without fail. We, the Korean Alliance, thus feel that their
arrests are a direct violation of democratic and constitutional right
to assemble and express our opinion. Since its formation in March
2006, the Korean Alliance has organized peaceful and legal
demonstrations against what we think is a seriously unjust agreement
for the people of Korea, the U.S., and the world. However, since
November 2006, the Roh Moo-hyun Administration has declared all Korean
Alliance's public rallies illegal. Police suppression has been severe
on all activities of the Korean Alliance. We believe that the Roh
Moo-hyun Administration has gravely violated fundamental rights of the
people to assemble and oppose any unjust government practices.

Mr. Oh was born in 1938 in the city of Kwangju. He helped establish
the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, for which he was
imprisoned. He has worked tirelessly for democracy, unification, and
the abolition of Korea's National Security Law, the latter for which
he was again imprisoned. Mr. Jung was born in 1939 in the city of
Haenam. He has been active in the democratic movement to demand
government responsibility, for which he was imprisoned for 4 years. He
has served as President of the Korean Peasants' League, the national
federation of small farmers' organizations. He has for years led the
farmers' movement against the WTO and free trade.

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTEST LETTER

We ask the international community to carefully consider the situation
of Korea. What is happening in Korea happens daily around the world.
We call upon individuals and organziations to endorse this protest
letter.

+Please send endoresements via email to interstruggle@gmail.com

+Indicate that you endorse this letter, then give us your name,
organization, city, and country.

+Timing is crucial, so please send us your endorsements by July 13, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL PROTEST LETTER
In Protest against the Arrests of Oh Jong-ryul and Jung Gwang-hoon

We Demand their Immediate Release!
We Demand an Immediate End to Police Suppression of the Korean Alliance!

July 3, 2007

From: International Community Concerned about Democratic Principles
and Economic and Social Justice

To: South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun

We are serisouly disappointed and troubled by the police suppression
of the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA and the arrests of
its two officers. We write this urgent letter to demand 1) the
immediate release of Mr. Oh Jong-ryul and Mr. Jung Gwang-hoon, two
Co-Chairs of the Korean Alliance and 2) an immediate end to police
suppression of the Korean Alliance.

First, the arrests of Mr. Oh and Mr. Jung are a direct violation of
basic democratic principles and constitutional rights. We believe that
South Korea is a democratic nation that guarantees, under the
constitution, the right to associate and oppose unjust practices of
ruling authority. These rights are fundamental to any democratic
nation, and we strongly feel that today's arrests may represent a
retrogression of Korea's status as a democratic nation. In addition,
the police's disregard for their old age and health conditions shows a
sign of inhumane treatment.

Second, their arrests are an infringement of international principles
of political and civil rights. As a member of the United Nations,
South Korea has signed on to connventions that protect and promote the
advancement of social freedom and human rights. South Korea has made
important democratic strides since the 1970s. We have witnessed this
transformation. We urge the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, elected by
democratic means, to not forget Korea's history and to foster
international and democratic principles. The rights of the people to
assemble and express their voices must be protected.

And third, we demand an immediate end of police suppression against
the Korean Alliance. We are aware that South Korea's constitution
(Article 21) does not recognize a permit system for rallies; only
notices need to be given, which the Korean Alliance has done without
fail. Therefore, we believe that the activities of the Korean Alliance
is by no means illegal. The police suppression of FTA protests, which
we have seen in the media, is shocking. The fact that the Korean
Alliance's activities are singled out and determined as illegal
indicates a direct attack against a people's organization and an
obvious violation of Korea's constitution.

We disapprove the decisions made by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration on
the officers and activities of the Korean Alliance. Along with the
recent suppression of Korean auto workers, we fear that the
suppression of the Korean Alliance signals a dangerous digressive
trend in Korea's democracy. If this trend continues, we can promise
the Administration that the international community will not sit
still. We urge the Administration to correct its mistakes and return
the rights that are inherent to the people of Korea and the world.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA
150-982 Daeyoung Building 3F, 139 Youngdeungpo-dong 2-ga,
Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel: 82-2-775-2501 www.nofta.or.kr

KoA Newsletter: Suppression of Anti-FTA Struggles Continues

(nofta) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:57:31 +0900

No FTA Newsletter
Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA
www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net
June 25, 2007

Suppression of Anti-FTA Struggles Continues

In the Newsletter
-Korean Government’s Deliberate Distortion on Metal Workers’ Just Walkouts-
-Police Trying to Arrest Two Co-Chairs of Korean Alliance-

Korean Government’s Deliberate Distortion on Metal Workers’ Just Walkouts

On June 19, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, announced that it will hold a general strike from June 25 to June 29. The strike aims to show workers’ three demands. One demand is to protest against the Korea-U.S. FTA, scheduled to be signed by the two countries on June 30. In addition the union is striking in opposition to the government’s law on irregular workers, which is predicted to create more unstable and low-paying jobs and Korea’s minimum wage structure, which does not provide a living wage to low-paid workers. The third one is to demand a law protecting outsourced workers. June 29 is also the day of a national rally against the FTA hosted by the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA.

The Roh Moo-hyun administration and conservative media have lambasted the action calling it an ‘illegal political strike.’ They are recklessly complaining that the action is not aimed at protecting the interest of union members, but instead politically motivated and therefore against the law. Using these excuses, the administration is planning to arrest and prosecute union leaders and mobilize massive force to stop the strike from going forward. About nineteen union members are expected to be indicted from the strike.

But the administration’s logic is highly hypocritical: Whenever workers strike for improvement in their working conditions and wages, the administration criticizes them for acting ‘merely out of self-interested.’ Yet, now, when the KMWU calls an action to protect not only its own members, but the interest of Korean society at large, they label the action ‘political’ and ‘illegal’ and seek to break it with national force. This hypocrisy shows that in fact in the administration’s opinion, no form of strike at all should be allowed. For KMWU’s however, this strike is not about following the flawed claims about legality made the government. KMWU has called the strike knowing full well that no matter what process it went through in decision-making, the administration would call the action illegal, because it understands the necessity of taking a stance against a destructive trade pact, whose negotiation did not even bare the faintest resemblance to democracy. The administration’s threats against KMWU, on the other hand, only make it all the more clear that it and the conservative forces, with which it is aligned, are repressive and anti-labor in nature. Here, it is the administration’s tactics, not the KMWU’s action, which should be deemed undemocratic.

The administration and the mainstream media have been claiming that the car industry, which is part of the Metal Workers’ Union, stands to gain the most out of all sectors from the FTA. The fact is, however, while it is questionable how much exports to the U.S. will really increase because of the FTA, it is quite clear that any profits will go to capital and not to workers themselves. The Korean auto industry is already overrun with foreign investment, and the tendency for businesses to move outside of Korea in search of cheap labor is high. The result is increased job insecurity and competition between workers and the diminishing of labor conditions and labor rights. The Korea-U.S. FTA and all FTAs only stand to increase these trends while making the movement of capital overseas easier. In addition, the influx of cars from the United States will put pressure on domestic producers, easily leading to reduction of the domestic labor force and weakening of protection for labor rights.

However, the KMWU’s strike is not focused narrowly on the interests of one part or even all of its membership. Rather it is an action in recognition that the Korea-U.S. FTA is harmful to all workers and, beyond that, to all common people in Korean society. Given this, it is clear that the strike is a Constitutional right and courageous and just action against an unfair trade policy that puts the profit of a few big corporations before the interests of people. We, Korean Alliance, are holding press conferences and releasing statement about the just nature of this strike. We stand firmly with the KMWU to defend the strike and stop the signing of the Korea-U.S. FTA.

Police Trying to Arrest Two Co-Chairs of Korean Alliance-
On Friday, June 22, a week before the national rally to be held on June 29, the police made a request to the courts for the arrest warrants of two chairpersons of the Korean Alliance. They are required to appear on Monday in person where the validity of their possible warrants will be determined. Along with the suppression of Korean Metal Workers’ Union’s strike next week, the police’s attempt to arrest the officers signifies the overall suppression of the people’s movement.

The suppression, ordered by the Roh Administration, is an assault on the people’s right to what we think is wrong about state affairs. Freedom of association is thus fundamental in a democratic society. The suppression violates the basic rights inherent in all free people, and such rights ought to be protected in a democracy. The persons who should be investigated and arrested are the Roh Moo-Hyun administration.

Mr. Oh and Mr. Jung have devoted over four decades of their lives to the people’s struggles against authoritarian regimes and destructive effects of neoliberalism. Mr. Oh has led Korea’s unification movement and social movement. Mr. Jung served as Chair of the Korean Peasants League and is responsible for taking Korean farmers’ struggle to the international stage. They both have been previously imprisoned for a number of years for their activism.

At the moment, two other officers of the Korean Alliance are under warrants. Park Seok-woon, Executive Committee Chair, and Ju Je-jun, General Secretary, have been wanted by the police for charge of instigating anti-FTA protests since November 2006. For the past 7 months, they have been living and working with KoA under warrant.

For countless number of Korea’s activists, warrants and arrests have become a harsh reality. The state suppression of the people has continued below the guise of a democracy. But this also testifies the strength and will of the people of Korea and the world to fight against regimes and policies that harm their community and livelihood. In opposition to the planned signing of the Korea-U.S. FTA on June 30, the Korean Alliance will hold a national rally on June 29. The rally is part of the campaign to stop the ratification of the trade agreement. This campaign is expected to continue well into the fall and winter seasons.

KoA Newsletter: Thousands Protest Signing of Korea-U.S. FTA

(nofta) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:28:28 +0900

No FTA Newsletter
Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA
www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Tens of Thousands Protest Signing of the Korea-U.S. FTA

On June 29, tens of thousands of farmers, workers, and ordinary Korean people gathered throughout the country to protest the signing of the Korea-U.S. FTA. Protests were held in major cities including Seoul, Cheonju, Gwangju, Daegu, Pusan and Changwon. In total, roughly 50,000 gathered in a powerful display of opposition to the Korea-U.S. FTA.

Workers from around the country converged on Seoul's Daehakno at 2:00pm. At the front of labor's participation this day was the Metal Workers Union, which had ca

lled a partial general strike in the days leading up to the FTA signing, climaxing with a four hour strike on the 28th, in which over 100 thousand workers from 128 areas participated. At 2:00pm on the 29th some 20,000 workers and supporters gathered for a National Workers Gathering, followed by a Mass People's Protest, held by the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA.

Workers were joined in Seoul by farmers from Gyeonggi and Choogjung Provinces as well as students and various civil and social organizations. After rallying at Daehakno, protesters spread throughout the city to starting points in Gwanghawmun, Sudaemun, and Anguk from which they march towards the Blue House, taking the streets. All over, protesters were met by police force, who used a water cannon to disperse those gathered in Anguk and arrested several people including one member of a team organized to monitor police violence. Blocked from reaching the Blue House, the protesters gathered together again at Bosingak to hold a final rally and concluded the day at around 8:30 in the evening.

Despite the strong oppposition shown on June 29 and the clearly undemocratic in which the FTA has been negotiated, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun Jong and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative signed the agreement at roughly 11:00pm on June 30 Korean time. The signing of the agreement came after a short series of secret 'renegotiations,' which took place in Seoul and Washington, D.C. beginning the previous week. The signed agreement reflects the new U.S. FTA template negotiated between the Bush Administration and the U.S. Congress. While claiming to favor labor and the environment, this template is still far short of being fair to workers, farmers, consumers of both countries.

This outcome is an affront to the common people of Korea, who will only suffer from the impact of the opening of the agricultural market, the worsening labor conditions, and the diminishing of public services. Our struggle, however, is not over. In the upcoming months KoA will use all means available to build our movement and stop the ratification of the Korea-U.S. FTA.

KoA Newsletter: Korea-U.S. FTA Concluded, People's Protest Goes On

(nofta) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:47:52 +0900

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA

www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Vol. 1, No. 5, April 5, 2007

In the Newsletter
>Korea-U.S. FTA Concluded against the Will of the Korean People, People's Protest Goes On

>International Solidarity for the Anti Korea-U.S. FTA Struggle Builds

Korea-U.S. FTA Concluded against the Will of the Korean People
People's Protest Goes On

On Sunday April 1 at 4:00pm, taxi driver and KCTU member Heo Sae-wook stood before the Nam San Hyatt Hotel, where that final high-level FTA negotiations were taking place, and lit himself on fire chanting, "Down with the Korea-U.S. FTA". His cries could still be heard afterwards as he was rushed to the Yongsan Critical Care Hospital. He has since been moved to Hangang Seongsim Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Mr. Heo's self-immolation is a clear indication of the rage Korean workers, farmers, and common people feel at Roh Moo-hyun Administration's relentless effort to conclude the FTA, and the desperation they feel at the prospect of the future that the FTA holds in store for them.

Nonetheless, on April 2 at 1:00pm, less than one day later, Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-jong announced that an agreement had been reached. The Korea-U.S. FTA has been concluded with no regard for the mass opposition from the Korean people, their allies throughout Asia, and American organized labor and civil society. It has never been more obvious than now that this FTA is the unilateral project of the USTR Office and the Bush and Roh administrations, pushed through above the demands of both country's peoples.

The last round of high-level negotiations, which went on past two deadline extension over the weekend of April 1, were surrounded by intense protests, including Mr. Heo's self-immolation. On Friday, May 30, the day the talks were originally scheduled to end, farmers, workers and social movement organizations held a press conference near the Blue House (the President's residence) during the afternoon. A candle light vigil at City Hall Square held later in the evening was attended by several thousand. At the conclusion of this event participants took to the streets and attempted

to march to the Blue House, but were stopped by riot police. They then began a sit-down protest despite cold weather and rain, determined to rally until the result of the negotiations came out, only to hear that the

United States

had asked for a 48-hour extension of the talks. On the evening of April 1, thousands took to the streets again, this time evading police enough to get within blocks of the Blue House, but heard that the

U.S.

had again extended the talks; the conclusion of the FTA was not announced until 1:00pm the following day.

The Korea-U.S. FTA, as we feared, promises gains only for investors and big business and represents an attack on the livelihood of farmers, worker, and common people. The government and mainstream media are lauding the removal of U.S. tariffs on automobiles, auto parts, and textiles as huge successes, but we know that the benefits these measures will bring to capital in no way outweigh the negative impact increased competition will have on wages and workers rights in both countries. In the area of agriculture, although

rice was exempted, the phasing out of tariffs on beef, pork, and oranges severely endangers Korea's rural communities. In addition, the lowering of beef-related health and safety standards to allow both boneless and bone-in American beef is expected to come after the meeting of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Longer patents for pharmaceuticals will mean a rise in drug costs for individuals and a taxing of the national healthcare system, and the opening of satellite broadcasting to foreign investors and reduction of protection for Korean programming will erode the unique cultural character of

Korea

’s audio-visual industry.

If this agreement goes into effect, it will put Korean people’s health, culture, and environment at risk. We must not let this happen. Our struggle is far from over. As we continue to hold nightly candlelight vigils and other protests, we will step up our efforts to win support for our struggle in the Korean Parliament and U.S. Congress and continue to build solidarity with all peoples struggling against US-led free trade agreements. With a recent survey showing that over 80% of Korean people opposed concluding the FTA on the TPA timeline, with a Korean worker driven to suicide protest by the prospect of the FTA becoming a reality, with protests swelling despite government repression, it is clear that the conclusion of the agreement goes against the will of the Korean people. Through the strength of the people's determination, we will defeat the Korea-U.S. FTA.

International Solidarity for the Anti Korea-U.S. FTA Struggle Builds

The struggle against the Korea-U.S. FTA is not isolated. It is part of a larger movement against all USTR-model free trade agreements. This is now more than ever true, when the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. FTA can become an impetus and model for other U.S. FTAs with Asian countries.

The Korean Alliance against Korea-U.S. FTA stands in solidarity with the people of Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Colombia, Panama, and all other countries fighting against bilateral trade agreements that threaten workers' and farmers' rights, public services, and the environment. We also send sincere gratitude for your support for our struggle and a wish for even greater solidarity in the near future..

Our movement in Korea draws great strength from two recent acts of solidarity. On March 24, 25 organizations and individuals from other Asian countries adopted a protest statement against the Korea-U.S. FTA in timing with our mass demonstration the next day, which was attended by 15,000 people. This resolution stated opposition to the agreement for its secretive and undemocratic nature and its threat to the livelihood of farmers, the environment, cultural diversity, and public services such as heath-care, energy provision, and education. The full list of signators is published below.

On the other side of the world, ally organization and individuals demonstrated their support for our mass hunger strike with a 36-hour solidarity fast from 3:00pm, March 25, to 3:00am, March 27. Over 190 individuals participated from all over the United States, including California, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Ohio, and from Puerto Rico and from British Columbia, Canada. A list of the participants' names along with their resolution against the FTA was sent to Korean consulates and embassies, the White House, and the United States Trade Representative.

The Korea-U.S. FTA has been concluded, but our collective struggle goes on. We thank you for your efforts and ask for your continued participation as we fight to defeat the Korea-U.S. FTA and all other US-led free trade agreements.

Signatures to the Asia-region Protest Statement against the Korea-U.S FTA

Organizations

1. Biodiversity and Community Right Action Thailand (BIOTHAI)

Witoo Lianchamroon, Director

Thailand

2. Thai Volunteer Service

Kannikar Kuankachorn, Director

Thailand

3. Human Settlement Foundation

Nopphan Phrosri, General Secretary

Thailand

4. Local Action Links

Pongtip Samranjit, Director

Thailand

5. NGO Coordinating Committee on Development

Anusorn Chaiyapan, Coordinator

Thailand

6. Foundation for Consumer

Saree Aongsomweng, Director

Thailand

7. Agriculture Alternative Network

Tussanee Verakan, Coordinator

Thailand

8. Focus On The Global South, Thailand

Chanida C. Bamford, Deputy Director

Thailand

9. Foundation of Reclaiming Rural Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Action

Montawadee Krutmechai, Director

Thailand

10. Sustainable Development Foundation Thailand

Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk, Director

Thailand

11. Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability

Watcharee Paoluangtong, Director

Thailand

12. Aids Access Foundation

Nimit Tienudom, Director

Thailand

13. Confederation of Consumer Organization Thailand

Sairong Thongpong, Manager

Thailand

14. Weman Action Network

Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk, Coordinator

Thailand

15. CODEC

Mohommed Mamin Or Rashid, Program Officer

Bangladesh

16. Center for Human Rights and Development

Y. Mandkhaitsetsen, Program Coordinator

Mongolia

17. Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption

Badrul Hisham B. Shaharin, Executive Coordinator

Malaysia

18. Karmojibi Nari

Mafuja Akhtar, Program Officer

Bangladesh

19. Laywers for Human Rights and Development

M. N. K. F. Mauthrianayaki, Legal Officer

Sri Lanka

20. Foundation for Community Educational Media

Pinpaka Ngamsom, Editorial Staff

Thailand

21. GRAIN

Renee Vellve

Philippines

Individuals

1. Jang Ik-su

Staff

UNESCO-APCEIU

2. Na Hyowoo

Director

Asia NGO Center

3. Banajit Hussain

Executive Council Member

Progressive Students’ Union, India

(Currently at Sungkonghoe University)

4. Mohindolin Ahmed

Professor

Sungkonghoe University

Declaration of Opposition to the KOR-US FTA and Pledge to Participate in a Solidarity Hunger Strike

(nofta) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:19:28 +0900

Join Korean Americans Against War and Neoliberalism (KAWAN)* and
the Korean Alliance Against the Korus FTA (KoA)

In Waging a Global Hunger Strike Against the Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement (KorUS FTA) and the Bush Free Trade Agenda

TO SIGN-ON GO TO: http://www.gopetition.com/online/11558.html

The United States and South Korean governments are frantically working around the clock to sign the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KorUS FTA) by April 2, when it must be submitted to Congress for a vote by July 1. If signed, the KorUS FTA will be the second largest trade deal since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In South Korea, tens of thousands of farmers, workers, and students are organizing for a massive demonstration on March 25, 2007. Since Monday, March 19, over 100 people have been waging a hunger strike in Seoul and other cities across the country. On Monday March 26^th, the number of hunger strikers will grow to 1000.

We ask for your solidarity in stopping the KorUS FTA and all Bush FTAs.

The March 25 massive demonstration is organized by the Korean Alliance against Korea-US FTA (KoA), a coalition of over 300 organizations representing millions of trade unionists, peasants, students, environmental and public health advocates. March 25is the day of international action to stop the KorUS FTA, all Bush FTAs, and the spread of corporate-led globalization. The U.S. is now negotiating free trade deals with several countries, including Peru, Colombia, Panama, South Korea, and Malaysia.

In solidarity allies in the United States and around the world will wage a 36 hour global hunger strike to oppose the KorUS FTA and the free trade regime that is destroying our livelihoods, our communities, our human rights and our environment. The hunger strike will be timed with South Korea’s 3 pm, March 25 (the start of the mass mobilization) through 3 am, March 27 (just after the end of first day of the 1000 person hunger strike.) For the reference of those in the U.S., this is 2 am, March 25 through 2 pm March 26 Eastern Standard Time and 11 pm, March 24 through 11 am March 26 Pacific Daylight Time.

March is the critical month in the fight to stop all pending U.S. FTAs from conclusion. Unfettered free trade has been directly responsible for the massive loss of jobs and erosion of hard-won benefits and rights for workers, farmers, and laws protecting our public health and environment. Wholly undemocratic, the only voices heard behind closed negotiation doors are that of corporate interests.

Join us for this 36-hour global hunger strike! We will send Korea the solidarity list by Saturday, March 24 for KoA to read at the March 25 mass demonstration. To sign-on go to: http://www.gopetition.com/online/11558.html. For more information, call: 718.335.0419 or email: yul-san@nodutdol.org.

*Founded in April 2006, KAWAN is a national coalition of progressive U.S.-based Korean organizations endorsed by hundreds of immigrant, people of color, LGBT, farmers’, workers’, women’s, national liberation, anti-war and anti-globalization groups. For each of the eight rounds of negotiations between the U.S. and Korea, we have waged protests and resistance with our Korean allies. We have held forums, held direct action and civil disobedience and engaged in lobbying and advocacy efforts.

Declaration of Opposition to the KOR-US FTA and

Pledge to Participate in a Solidarity Hunger Strike

We, the undersigned, express our opposition to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which poses a serious threat to public interest in both South Korea and the United States. The Korea-U.S. FTA is based on a model of trade agreement that is designed to profit of transnational capital and big business at the expensive of workers, farmers and common people and has been negotiated through a secretive and undemocratic process. Such a trade agreement must not be implemented.

We are opposed to the secretive and undemocratic nature through which the Korea-U.S. FTA has been negotiated.

FTA talks have been held in remote places away from public view or in secrete outside of the official negotiations. The South Korean government has routinely withheld relevant information and documents from stakeholders, the National Assembly, and the general public. It has also closed off public debate through insufficient hearings and media censorship. Worse, it has severely suppressed anti-FTA sentiment, banning peaceful protests and arresting protest participants.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that will destroy the livelihood of South Korean farmers and harm the environment.

The Korea-U.S. FTA calls for unconditional opening of the South Korean agricultural market to cheap overproduced American-grown products. The consequent deterioration of Korean agriculture will have devastating social, cultural, and environmental effects: Statistics show that roughly half of South Korea’s farmers will be unable to maintain their farms and be forced to join the ranks of the urban poor. The resultant destruction of rural communities will mean the break-up of rural traditions that are the basis of Korean culture, and the deterioration of the rural environment. The Korea-U.S. FTA also threatens the environment by introducing mechanism through the lowering of environmental standards such as the Investor-State Claim Clause.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that directly threatens vital public services such as health-care, energy provision and education. The Korea-U.S. FTA calls for higher pricing of pharmaceuticals- benefiting transnational pharmaceutical companies at the expense of access for common people. The FTA will also limit the Korean government’s ability to ensure equitable access to energy and water supply by fostering privatization in these sectors and diminish the validity of public education through the introduction of private U.S.-based testing services, which will increase the demand on students to seek private education programs

We are opposed to a trade agreement that threatens cultural diversity by allowing for harmful infringement on South Korea’s cultural industry.

Reduction of South Korea’s screen quota, which protects the nation’s film industry, was made a prerequisite for beginning FTA negotiations. Further, the current Korea-U.S. FTA will require removal of similar protections for Korea’s broadcasting industry. These measures endanger the public function of the broadcasting industry and the uniqueness of South Korea’s audio-video language. The provisions of the Korea-U.S. FTA are inconsistent with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity Cultural Expressions, which affirms the right of each member nation to formulate and implement regulations aimed at promoting domestic cultural expression.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that grants undue powers to investors at the expense of domestic development and public interest.

The unconditional investor-state claims clause included in the Korea-U.S. FTA affords greater privileges to foreign investors than those granted by domestic law, providing a mechanism through which investors’ claims can place enormous monetary penalties on taxpayers and pressure the government to adopt lower environmental and labor standards to avoid future claims. The Korea-U.S. FTA also calls for a reduction in government procurement contracts in order to open these markets to foreign capital. In South Korea, procurement policy promotes the growth of thousands of small businesses in various regions, providing entrepreneurial opportunities to businesses that are conscious about environmental and labor issues. As such, they are vital to keeping public interest alive and maintaining community-government cooperation.

On March 25 at 3:00 PM (South Korea time), tens of thousands of farmers, workers, students and concerned persons will take to the streets throughout South Korea to protest the KorUS FTA. The following day, 1000 South Koreans will engage in a hunger strike. (Since March19 over 100 have been fasting.)

In order to demonstrate the sincerity of our opposition to the KorUS FTA and of our solidarity with the Korean people we pledge to conduct a United States-wide hunger strike to coincide with these activities. Thus, we, the undersigned, pledge to fast from 2:00 AM, March 25 through 2:00 PM, March 26 (Eastern Standard Time). Furthermore, we athorize Korean Americans Against War and Neoliberalism to send this statement of protest, with all signatures collected, to South Korean Consulates across the United States and the South Korea Embassy, the office of the United States Trade Representative and White House in Washington, DC.

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the Korean people. We call for abrogation of the Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations to date and cancellation of all future talks and legislative processes.

KoA Declaration Opposing the Korea-U.S. FTA, March 2007

(nofta) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:05:38 +0900

Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA

150-982 Daeyoung Building 3F, 139 Youngdeungpo-dong 2-ga, Youngdeungpo-gu Seoul, Republic of Korea

Tel: 82-2-775-2501 nofta@hanmail.net www.nofta.or.kr

Declaration Opposing the Korea-U.S. FTA

March 2007

We, the undersigned, express our opposition to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which poses a serious threat to public interest in both South Korea and the United States. The Korea-U.S. FTA is based on a model of trade agreement that is designed to profit of transnational capital and big business at the expense of workers, farmers, and common people and has been negotiated through a secretive and undemocratic process. Such a trade agreement must not be implemented.

We are opposed to the secretive and undemocratic nature through which the Korea-U.S. FTA has been negotiated.

FTA talks have been held in remote places away from public view or outside of the official negotiations. The South Korean government has routinely withheld relevant information and documents from stakeholders, the National Assembly, and the general public. It has also closed off public debate through insufficient hearings and media censorship. Worse, it has severely suppressed anti-FTA sentiment, banning peaceful protests and arresting protest participants.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that will destroy the livelihood of South Korean farmers and harm the environment.

The Korea-U.S. FTA calls for unconditional opening of the South Korean agricultural market to cheap overproduced American-grown products. The consequent deterioration of Korean agriculture will have devastating social, cultural, and environmental effects: Statistics show that roughly half of South Korea’s farmers will be unable to maintain their farms and be forced to join the ranks of the urban poor. The resultant destruction of rural communities will mean the break-up of rural traditions that are the basis of Korean culture, and the deterioration of the rural environment. The Korea-U.S. FTA also threatens the environment by introducing mechanisms that can potentially lower environmental standards such as the Investor-State Claim Clause.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that directly threatens vital public services such as health-care, energy provision, and education.

The Korea-U.S. FTA calls for higher pricing of pharmaceuticals—benefiting transnational pharmaceutical companies at the expense of access for common people. The FTA will also limit the Korean government’s ability to ensure equitable access to energy and water supply by fostering privatization in these sectors and diminish the validity of public education through the introduction of private U.S.-based testing services, which will increase the demand on students to seek private education programs

We are opposed to a trade agreement that threatens cultural diversity by allowing harmful infringement on South Korea’s cultural industry.

Reduction of South Korea’s screen quota, which protects the nation’s film industry, was made a prerequisite for beginning FTA negotiations. Further, the current Korea-U.S. FTA will require the removal of similar protections for Korea’s broadcasting industry. These measures endanger the public function of the broadcasting industry and the uniqueness of South Korea’s audio-video language. The provisions of the Korea-U.S. FTA are inconsistent with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity Cultural Expressions, which affirms the right of each member nation to formulate and implement regulations aimed at promoting domestic cultural expression.

We are opposed to a trade agreement that grants undue powers to investors at the expense of domestic development and public interest.

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the Korean people. We call for abrogation of the Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations to date and cancellation of all future talks and legislative processes.

Signed:

International Day of Action against the Korea-U.S. FTA and All U.S. FTAs

(nofta) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:04:12 +0900

Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA

150-982 Daeyoung Building 3F, 139 Youngdeungpo-dong 2-ga, Youngdeungpo-gu Seoul, Republic of Korea

Tel: 82-2-775-2501 nofta@hanmail.net www.nofta.or.kr

Let us unite to stop all U.S.-led free trade agreements!

International Day of Action against the Korea-U.S. FTA and All U.S. FTAs

Proposal for the International Day of Action on Sunday, March 25, 2007

We, the Korean Alliance against Korea-US FTA (KoA), call for an international day of joint action on Sunday, March 25, 2007. To the people struggling to stop the spread of neoliberal globalization, we ask for your solidarity and strength in stopping the Korea-U.S. FTA and all U.S. FTAs.

The 8^th round of negotiations for the Korea-U.S. FTA begins on March 8. Both the U.S. and South Korea expect to reach an agreement by the end of March, when all free trade agreements must be submitted to the U.S. Congress for a vote by the end of June to meet the deadline for the U.S. president’s Trade Promotion Authority. At the moment, the U.S. has concluded or is undergoing free trade negations with several countries, including Peru, Colombia, Panama, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. For countries such as Peru and Colombia, signed agreements are already in the U.S. Congress and in respective legislatures for vote.

Time is a critical factor in the fight to stop all U.S.-led free trade agreements; March is the month in which we must stop all pending FTAs from conclusion. The reasons for our fight are clear: All the FTAs led by the Bush Administration’s USTR Office violate international standards on labor, environment, health, and safety. In Korea, the negotiations process has been wholly undemocratic, ignoring public opinion and hiding information. The livelihoods of farmers are at serious risk, and public services face disastrous reduction and privatization. As in other FTAs, the investor-state claims clause threatens all protective laws and social institutions. The Korea-U.S. FTA, the largest FTA since NAFTA, thus poses to bring unprecedented harm on all areas of life. Let us unite in the struggle to stop all U.S.-led free trade agreements!

On March 25, 2007, tens of thousands of farmers, workers, and concerned persons will gather for mass demonstrations against the Korea-U.S. FTA throughout the country. These events will represent widespread rage at the FTA negotiations, which have ignored the opinions and needs of common people from the very beginning. We ask you to join us in protest on this day.

Title: International Day of Action against the Korea-U.S. FTA and All U.S. FTAs

Message: Stop the Korea-U.S. FTA and All U.S. FTAs

What: 1) Rallies, protests, marches, candlelight vigils, or whatever action is appropriate for the country; 2) endorsement of the attached protest letter

When: Sunday, March 25, 2007 (in conjunction with mass demonstrations in Korea)

Who: Organizations and activists from around the world who are fighting U.S. FTAs

Where: The U.S. Embassy, respective countries’ Embassies or Consulates, or other appropriate places

If you will participate in the International Day of Action, please confirm by Friday, March 16, 2007. KoA will send headbands that say “No FTA.” Even if you are unable to carry out an action, we ask for your endorsement of the protest letter.

Email confirmations and questions to nofta@hanmail.net

International Solidarity Team

Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA

150-982 Daeyoung Building 3F

139 Youngdeungpo-dong 2-ga, Youngdeungpo-gu,

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Tel: 82-2-775-2501

nofta@hanmail.net www.nofta.or.kr

Formed on March 28, 2006, the Korean Alliance against KorUS FTA (KoA) is made up of over 300 organizations, including trade unions, farmers’ groups, NGOs, and social movement groups. Prior to the FTA struggle, South Korea’s farmers, workers, and activists have fought against the WTO in Seattle, Cancun, and Hong Kong. Through our activities, we have joined the struggle against neoliberal globalization throughout the world. At the core of our fight against the FTA is the people’s demand for fair international trade based on sustainable development, public service, cultural diversity, and food sovereignty.

No FTA Newsletter 03.12.07

(nofta) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:16:21 +0900

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-US FTA

www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Vol. 1, No. 4, March 12, 2007

In the Newsletter
Headline
Five-Thousand Rally against Free Trade amidst Strong Police Violence
Solidarity Statements

Five-Thousand Rally against Free Trade amidst Strong Police Violence

Monday, March 12, 2007. As the 8^th round of Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations entered its third day, a peaceful mass rally was held on Saturday in protest of the talks. Police violence was heavy, but the protesters stood strong until the end, even when sticks came down and water cannon was fired on them. At the end of the day, ten were arrested, and as of today, five from labor and student groups are still held in jail.

The 8^th round of talks is to be the last because an agreement must be reached by the end of March. The agreement then would be submitted to the U.S. Congress for an up or down vote by the end of June when Bush’s trade promotion authority expires. For South Korea, the 8^thround of talks, which ends today, has been especially troubling. Except for automobile and agriculture, most issues have reached an agreement, including pharmaceuticals, procurement, textiles, and trade remedies. In order to bring the talks to conclusion, which has had strong pressures from U.S. lawmakers and presidents of both countries, South Korea is quickly giving in to the demands of capital and the USTR. A high-level talks will be held at the end of the month to finalize the deal.

On the morning of March 10, about five-thousand farmers, workers, students, and activists, marching from various locations, first gathered together near Ewha Woman’s University. The traffic at this busy junction was stopped for an hour. Then the mass dispersed and regrouped near the U.S. Embassy in Jongno. It was here that the police brought out the sticks and shields, which are used to strike at the protesters. Water cannon was fired despite the freezing temperature, but the five-thousand stood their ground and delivered their message. “Fellow countrymen and women,” shouted Jung Dae-hwan, Organizing Director of the Korean Alliance against Korea-U.S. FTA (KoA), “our spirit and struggle will not be stopped by police violence.”

The campaign to stop the FTA, which began in April 2006, has been a long battle. The farmers and workers’ groups have been weakening since November 2006 when the South Korean government declared all anti-FTA activities as illegal and arrested dozens of protesters. However, on Saturday, mobilization and militancy were back to the level necessary for the struggle to continue.

Jong-hoon Kim, South Korea’s chief negotiator, said that automobile and agriculture remain as deal-breakers. Especially sensitive is the beef issue. Although South Korea announced that it would accept U.S. beef except for the boxes that contain bone fragments, the U.S. has judged this to be inadequate and is demanding an unexceptional import of all U.S. beef.

Strong actions are being planned by KoA until early April. A relay hunger strike begins today, and by the end of the month, a thousand is expected to participate. South Korea has not seen a hunger strike at this scale since the protest against the National Security Law in 2003. Police suppression has not been this strong in decades.

Anti-FTA Sentiment Growing in U.S. Civil Society

Over the last month U.S. religious, labor and civil society leaders have shown and organized and determine face opposing to the Korea-U.S. FTA, current with the last push in the FTA negotiations. This opposition was seen clearly during the 7^th round of talks held in D.C. from February 11to 14, when close to 50 organizations (including such groups as the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and Alliance for Fair Trade) adopted a “U.S. Civil Society Declaration on the Kor-US FTA.” This statement reads in part: “We believe that the current model agreement, which so far has provided enormous benefits for a disproportionate few, will not likely generate widely shared economic prosperity for the majority of persons in the U.S. and South Korea. Indeed, some of the provisions under negotiation could jeopardize important public interest gains or narrow the policy space of governments to respond to the needs or wants of their citizens.” It concludes, “We stand in solidarity with the Korean people, and are resolved to press our government to reverse its course on trade. We call on our government to reject the failed NAFTA-style free trade model, and strengthen economic and trade relations with other countries based on the principles of mutual benefit, respect for democratic rights, and national sovereignty.” (The full text of the declaration is published below.)

U.S.-based religious organizations followed suit with a letter to congressional representatives and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab on March 8, which criticizes the “flawed and rushed” process carried out in negotiating the Korea-U.S. FTA and disrespect for healthcare and public services, workers, farmers and food sovereignty in the content of the agreement. Taking particular note of the situation of migrant workers in South Korea, the letter states, “In May 2006, the National Labor Committee documented widespread and grievous abuse of migrant workers under the auspices of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. Amnesty International has documented similar patterns of serious rights violations in South Korea, including verbal and physical abuse, the withholding of wages and the repression of attempts at organizing… Given migrant workers’ significant contributions to the economies of both South Korea and the U.S., as trade increases between our two nations, the rights of all migrant workers must be respected, and they should share in the benefits of rising national prosperity.”

Most recently, U.S. civil society and labor groups including Americans for Democratic Action, Public Citizen and several labor unions, have initiated a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry, which strongly opposes the renewal of the Trade Promotion Authority (Fast Track), set to expire on June 30, 2007. Fast Track gives the U.S. president the right to sign FTAs before they are seen by Congress and requires Congress to vote them up or down without amendment. The letter states in part, “In recent history, Fast Track has only resulted in saddling the United States with destructive and widely unpopular trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)… We urge you to take all possible actions to ensure that the Bush Administration is not provided with the authority to determine the direction and terms of our nation’s engagement with the global economy… Fast Track’s expiration provides an opportunity for the new Democratic Congress to end the Administration’s disastrous trade agenda, and set a new course for trade policy based on our shared commitment to justice, fairness, and democracy.” In conclusion, the letter also states, “our organizations and membership are very opposed to any future NAFTA/CAFTA type trade agreements, such as those proposed or being negotiated with Colombia, Peru, Panama and Korea.”

As the 8^th round of negotiations draws to a close, we are keenly aware that the strong positions shown in theses letters and statements are vital to our success in defeating the Korea U.S. FTA. We thank U.S. groups for their partnership in this struggle and ask for continued support and solidarity in the weeks to come.

U.S. Civil Society Declaration on the KOR-US FTA

We, the undersigned U.S. civil society organizations, express our deep concerns over the proposed U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). We believe that the current model agreement, which so far has provided enormous benefits for a disproportionate few, will not likely generate widely shared economic prosperity for the majority of persons in the U.S. and South Korea. Indeed, some of the provisions under negotiation could jeopardize important public interest gains or narrow the policy space of governments to respond to the needs or wants of their citizens. We wholly embrace economic and cultural relations with South Korea, but wish to make certain that the terms of that relationship are equitable to all. In evaluating any trade agreement, we will be guided by the following principles.

Democracy, Transparency, and Accountability: Trade agreements must be negotiated under democratic mechanisms with broad-based citizen participation including workers, women, and indigenous and ethnic groups. The draft text, member country proposals, and negotiating agendas should be made available to civil society at regular and timely intervals in order for civil society participation to be meaningful. Negotiators should also meet with civil-society groups before each negotiating session, in order to discuss the proposals being advanced, and afterwards in order to report back on the results of those talks. Trade agreements must be subject to regularly scheduled environmental and social reviews by an independent body, which include an evaluation of the agreement’s impact on workers, women, people of color and indigenous communities. Any dispute arising under the agreement must be resolved in an accountable and transparent manner, with due deference to domestic laws and court systems. Trade disputes must be open to the public, and accept submissions from interested outside parties.

Workers’ Rights: Any trade agreement with Korea must ensure that all workers can freely exercise their basic rights as laid out by the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: freedom of association, the right to organize and bargain collectively, to refuse forced labor, to reject child labor, and to work free from discrimination. These rights must be recognized and protected in trade agreements and covered by dispute resolution and effective enforcement mechanisms. Any trade agreement with the region must also ensure that immigrant workers’ rights are protected fully regardless of their status. Technical assistance to improve labor standards in Korea can complement, but not substitute for, enforceable rules on workers’ rights. Finally, a trade agreement with Korea must include adequate protections and transitional assistance for rural and urban workers and farmers in Korea and the United States who are adversely affected by increased trade.

Protecting Family Farms: No free trade agreement should prevent countries from establishing their own domestic agricultural policies that promote food sovereignty, appropriate for their particular economic conditions, geographic characteristics and cultural practices and beliefs. Trade agreements must not interfere with the ability of countries to prohibit dumping of agricultural products that undermine the well being of family farmers and rural communities. Farmer’s livelihoods will be left at the whim of large agribusiness interests unless exporting countries of major commodities take the lead in establishing price floors to assure fair commodity prices worldwide and establish strategic international reserves to ensure food security. These mechanisms are necessary to prevent the pricing and export of commodities by agribusiness corporations at below a farmer’s cost of production. Countries must be allowed the flexibility to establish tariffs and appropriate types of subsidies to prevent a total collapse of rural economies and mass migration.

Environmental Protection and Natural Resources: Trade agreements must not undermine any environmental standards but strengthen and enforce them. Trade rules must ensure that private investors cannot challenge domestic environmental and other public interest laws and regulations before international tribunals. Agreements should also reinforce governments’ responsibility to protect and promote farmer rights regarding plant genetic resources for food and agriculture as stated in the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, including not limiting any rights that farmers have to save, use, exchange or sell seeds and other propagating material as afforded to them by national laws.

Protecting Basic Services: Services that help meet people’s right to food, education, health and basic utilities should be exempt from trade rules. In Korea there is deep concern that applying trade rules to these services, especially public services, would make it harder for governments to adequately support and regulate these services, resulting in price increases that are prohibitive to consumers, reduced access and compromised quality.

Foreign Investment and National Development: Investment rules must allow governments the leeway to implement legitimate economic development strategies for domestically oriented growth, especially to promote decent employment, to support domestic industries and investment, and to encourage the emergence of new and infant industries. Investors must have binding responsibilities – including compliance with international and national labor and environmental standards – not just rights. Governments must have the authority to regulate capital flows in order to prevent and redress financial crises. Finally, investor-to-state lawsuits must not be part of trade agreements.

Intellectual Property Rights: A trade agreement with Korea should not include rules that go beyond the existing intellectual property rights agreement of the WTO that may adversely impact women, farmers’ rights, food security, traditional knowledge and the protection of public health. Trade agreement’s rules should comply with the Doha declaration on access to medicines and with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Intellectual property rules must not limit countries’ ability to prohibit patents on genetic plant resources for food and agriculture.

Procurement: Procurement rules must not prevent governments from using tax dollars to support responsible purchasing and contracting practices that favor local suppliers or contain other non-commercial criteria. National and sub-national governments must retain the ability to use government procurement policies to promote local employment, assist small and medium-sized businesses, safeguard workers’ rights and human rights, and achieve other legitimate social and environmental goals.

Therefore, we the undersigned U.S. civil society organizations, declare our opposition to any trade agreement, including the Korea-U.S. FTA, should it fail to protect workers’ rights, human rights, food security, and environmental standards, and undermine the ability of governments to regulate corporations to protect the common good. We stand in solidarity with the Korean people, and are resolved to press our government to reverse its course on trade. We call on our government to reject the failed NAFTA-style free trade model, and strengthen economic and trade relations with other countries based on the principles of mutual benefit, respect for democratic rights, and national sovereignty.

February 14, 2007, Washington D.C.

Signed,

ActionAid USA

Alliance for Democracy

Alliance for Responsible Trade

American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance

Border Agricultural Workers Project

California Coalition for Fair Trade and Human Rights

Campaign for Labor Rights

Casa Baltimore/Limay

Change to Win

Citizens Trade Campaign

Columban Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office

Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)

Congress for Korea Reunification

Corean Action Network for Unification

Essential Action

Fifty Years is Enough Network

Grassroots Global Justice

Green Delaware

Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

Health GAP

Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project

International Labor Rights Fund

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Jobs with Justice

Korean Americans against War and Neoliberalism

Korean Americans for Fair Trade

Koreatown Immigrant Workers Advocates

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement-NYC Chapter

Laborers' International Union of North America

Mobilization for Global Justice

Movement for Peace in Colombia

National Association of Korean Americans

National Family Farm Coalition

Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala

New York City People's Referendum on Free Trade

Nicaragua Center for Community Action

Nodutdol for Korean Community Development

The Oakland Institute

Polo Democratico Alternativo

Project South

Sierra Club

Stop CAFTA Coalition

Sustainable Agriculture of Louisville

Sweat Free Communities

UNITE HERE

United Auto Workers

United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE)

Vermont Workers' Center

No FTA Newsletter 02.16.07

(nofta) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:11:48 +0900

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-US FTA

www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Vol. 1, No. 2, February 16, 2007

Seventh FTA Negotiations End but Struggle Continues Daily

Friday, February 16, 2007. The 7th negotiations for Korea-U.S. FTA officially ended on Wednesday, but the struggle to stop the agreement continues on a daily basis. Today is a day of outreach throughout Seoul, which began at Seoul Station. The area was bustling with people traveling for the lunar new year, which is Sunday. The Korean Democratic Labor Party (KDLP) was one of the many groups gathered there. As the only progressive party with seats in the South Korea's National Assembly, KDLP has opposed the FTA from the beginning.

The groups gathered there were divided into several outreach teams and dispatched to other key areas of Seoul to distribute flyers and collect petition signatures. Even with the FTA negotiations near conclusion, public attention has been relatively low, partly due to the secretive character of the negotiations and partly due to the government suppression of oppositions to the FTA, including a censorship of a TV ad created by the Agriculture and Filmmaker Committees and of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA (KoA). The ad eventually began running this week, without any sound. The public opinion remains divided in half on the FTA issue, but judging from the number of people stopping to sign the petition, their concern is growing.

This round of negotiations, which ended on February 14, is touted by both sides as having gained the momentum to finish by the end of the month. Many areas including the issue of electronics commerce have been resolved, and sensitive issues such as U.S. trade remedy laws and investor-state claim clause, which were not originally areas for concession, have been discussed.

The eighth round of negotiations will happen in Seoul from March 8 to March 12, and high-level talks, where most of the remaining issues are to be resolved, will occur regularly until the end of March. For the Korean Alliance Against Korea-U.S. FTA, February and March will become a crucial month for mass mobilization both domestically and internationally.

Anti-FTA Protest Delegation to the U.S. Concludes

On February 14, the KoA protest delegation to the U.S. carried out its last day of actions in timing with the end of the 7th round of Korea-U.S. FTA talks in Washington, D.C. As had been the case in the beginning of the week, the day’s events were diverse in their form and audience.

After morning protests in front of the negotiation site, members of the delegation joined American civil society and labor organizations in a Civil Society Forum on Free Trade Agreements and Fast Track. There, Kyung-shik Moon, chairman of the Korean Peasants League presented to a packed house on the impact of the FTA on Korean people and the anti-FTA movement. He was joined by Consuelo Ahumada of Javeriana University who spoke on the Colombia-U.S. FTA and Jeff Vogt of AFL-CIO who covered the impact of both FTAs on U.S. labor. The event concluded with the adoption of a joint resolution criticizing the Korea-U.S. FTA signed by some 50 organizations.

The mood in the afternoon changed in a response a statement by Korean Ambassador Tae-shik Lee. "If Korean Americans can eat American beef, why can't Koreans?" Ambassador Lee had asked rhetorically in criticism of the Korean people's hesitance to lower health and safety regulations on imported beef to please the U.S. beef industry and ensure the conclusion of the FTA. In response, the KoA delegation and Korean Americans against War and Neoliberalism (KAWAN) braved snowy weather to stage a joint rally in front of the Korean embassy. When police arrived to shut down the protest, a short scuffle ensued with several near arrests. Fortunately, the delegates managed to avoid detention and conclude the demonstration successfully.

A closing rally was held in the evening followed by a night of solidarity with participating American-based organizations and allies. The delegation is resting a day in D.C. and will return to Korea on the night of the 17th just in time for lunar new year.

Throughout the week, the protest delegation has been successful in demonstrating the resolve of the Korean people, joined by Korean Americans and U.S.-based immigrants', workers', and civil society organizations, against the Korea-U.S. FTA. However they know there is much work ahead of them when they return to Korea. The 8th round of talks is already scheduled to take place in Seoul in mid-March. It will take strong determination and powerful mobilizing to match the will of both the U.S. and South Korean governments, who continue to ignore the voice their peoples' voices in their drive to conclude this FTA.

The Deterioration of Agricultural Life

It is well known that agriculture has been one of the most contentious areas in the Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations. Since the beginning of the talks, the United States has consistently demanded full opening of the South Korean market to American-grown products. For Korean farmers the issue at stake is much more than a mere loss in profits; it is a matter of the very survival of their livelihood and their communities. Furthermore, the severe weakening of its agriculture will have a severely negative social, culture and environmental impact on South Korea.

While most American agriculture is controlled by large corporations, all farming in South Korea is done by individual farmers with small to medium-size holdings. A brief look at statistics makes the inequity readily apparent: the total acreage of land under cultivation in the United States is 105 times as great as that in Korea (176 million ha to 1.7 million ha), the average farm-size 58 times greater (29ha to 0.48ha) and the average income of individuals in the agricultural business four times greater ($7,200 to $1,400). Like small farmers in the United States, South Korea’s farmers cannot compete with large agro-business, which mass produce cheaply-priced goods with the aid of heavy government subsidies. The U.S. negotiators have made clear that American agricultural subsidies will not be affected through the FTA. As such, Korea’s domestic agricultural products stand to loose their markets almost completely once the FTA is implemented.

The effect will be devastating for South Korean farmers. The fate of the primarily citrus-producing population of Jeju Island is a good example: the opening of South Korea's fruit market to powerful companies such as Sunkist and Dole is projected to cause a 59% drop in the price of Korean tangerines, Jeju's primary product, and will result in an annual loss of over $200 million dollars. This, along with reductions in the sale of potato ($72 million), garlic (no statistics available), fish ($5 to $10 million) and meat and dairy ($23-$28 million) makes bankruptcy almost inevitable for farmers on Jeju. The yearly loss for South Korean agriculture nationwide is projected to be close to $9.3 billion. This translates to an average decrease in annual salary of nearly $8000 for farmers, the majority of whom now only make only a little over $10,000 a year. U.S. statistics shows that on the whole, South Korean agricultural production will decrease by 45% after the Korea-U.S. FTA has been implemented. This means that roughly half of Korea's farmers will loose their livelihood and have no option but to give up their farms and join the ranks of the urban poor. It was the prospect of a similar situation brought on by the WTO's impact on South Korean agriculture that prompted farmer Lee Kyung Hae to take his own life in protest at the Cancun Ministerial in 2003, crying "WTO kills farmers!"

The vitality of South Korea's domestic agrarian economy has significance well beyond the individual lives of Korean farmers. This significance is social, cultural and environmental. Traditionally an agricultural society, Korea's culture as a whole is based on customs that have developed around the cycle of cultivation kept alive today in farm villages. Unfortunately, the dissipation of these communities is rapidly underway. Due to rapid industrialization, the Korean farming population has dropped from 50% to less than 10% over the last thirty years. This decrease has occurred more than twice the pace of similar declines took place in the United States and Western Europe. This process has been accelerated in the last decade as a result of trade liberalization policies, forcing hundreds of thousands of farmers to migrate to already overcrowded cities where underemployment is a growing social problem. The flip-side of this over-urbanization is a breakdown of rural ways of life and destruction of the rural environment. In order to preserve South Korea's countryside, local communities, and culture, it is necessary to have measures to support agriculture and maintain farming as a feasible occupation; the comprehensive opening of South Korea's agricultural market is neither wise nor necessary at this time.

Protective measures are not without precedent. The Swiss government, for example, has, since the first half of the 1990s, officially recognized that the importance of local agriculture goes beyond simple economics, to include preservation of the countryside and long-term sustainability of natural eco-systems. It has thus implemented a subsidy-system to protect and revitalize Swiss farming communities, now only 4% of the population. This goal was also one of the main reasons behind Switzerland's decision to suspend FTA negotiations with the United States.

The Swiss case provides an important example for South Korea, especially now as it faces the deterioration of its rural villages and ways of life. The South Korean government should be moving to protect agriculture now, not exposing it to over-produced imports which can only but mean its downfall. Although the South Korean government has promised some consideration of this matter in the FTA negotiations, the obviously blind will it has demonstrated towards concluding a deal shows us we should not trust these promises. Clearly, the only way to safeguard Korean agriculture is to abandon the Korea-U.S. FTA completely.

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-US FTA

www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Vol. 1, No. 3, February 16, 2007

In the Newsletter

Headline
Seventh FTA Negotiations End but Struggle Continues Daily
Actions
Anti-FTA Protest Delegation to the U.S. Concludes
Analysis
The Deterioration of Agricultural Life

KoA No FTA Newsletter 02.14.2007

(nofta) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:58:47 +0900

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-US FTA

www.nofta.or.kr nofta@hanmail.net

Vol. 1, No. 2, February 14, 2007

In the Newsletter

Headline
Farmers Release Animals in Protest, Five-hundred Attend All-night Vigil
Actions
KoA Protest Delegation Holds All-night Vigil, Congressional Briefing in D.C.
Analysis
Limiting Access to Healthcare: FTA and Pharmaceuticals

Farmers Release Animals in Protest, Five-hundred Attend All-night Vigil

Wednesday, February 14, 2007. On Monday, the second day of Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations, South Korea's farmers, numbering around 200, released a pig and several goats in Seoul's very busy district of Myung-dong. The farmers had come from all over South Korea in order to protest the trade deal that would bring the most direct harm on the country's farming community. In the middle of the protest, one farmer was arrested, and all the animals were taken by the police.

In another area of Seoul, around 300 people from labor and civil society organizations held a rally. Kang Ki-kap, a member of the National Assembly, said in a speech, "I took to the street because I could not sit and watch as our country is being sold off in a disastrous trade deal."

Everywhere, police supression was heavy. The afternoon rally at Jongmyo Park, which was encircled by police buses, was met with hundreds of riot police who surrounded anyone who looks like a protester. "The right to assemble is our fundamental right," said Oh Jong-ryul, Co-Chair of Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA, while facing the police. "To deny this right at a time when government proclaims democracy is a crime against the people, but we will not stop our effort to claim our rights and protect our livelihood." A peaceful march that was planned from the park had to be cancelled as the police blocked the front and said in a loudspeaker the protesters must disperse individually.

In the evening, farmers, unionists, students, and activists from various organizations, about 500, gathered in front of Myung-dong cathedral for an all night vigil. The songs and speeches and being together with fellow brothers and sisters seemed to lessen the coldness of the night. Choi Jae-kwan, Korean Peasants' League's Director of Policy, said in a speech, "the fight against Korea-U.S. FTA is a fight that unites all of us. The fight is tough, but our voice is being heard and our victory is inevitable." The protest continued all night long for about 200 people, mostly farmers. Next morning, the group split up and met with other organizations for several small demonstrations in front of the Grand National Party office, the ruling Woori Party office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

As the trade negotiations are happening, police suppression has never been harsh as it is now. The police have denied permission of any rallies against the FTA, and the dispatch of hundreds and thousands of riot police at every anti-FTA event is reminding many of us the difficult era of struggle for democracy in the 1980s. But the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA is determined to

continue to mobilize the people and spread the message about unfair nature of this free trade agreement.

The 7th round of negotiations, which is at its last day in Washington, D.C, have seen some concessions from both the US and South Korea. The details have not been disclosed, but an agreement has been reached on industrial products to quicken the time for abolishing tariffs in both countries. On intellectual property, South Korea is moving toward accepting the U.S.'s demand to extend the term from 50 years to 70 years. However, no progress seems to have been made on investor-state claims clause, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Under the trade promotion authority of President Bush, which expires on July 1, an agreement must be reached by the end of March in order to give the U.S. Congress 90 days to vote yes or no. Once in the hands of the U.S. Congress, the fight to stop the trade agreement becomes a different game. The Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA, seeing that the window for resistance is closing, is moving fast to mobilize for a national rally in March.

About sixty leaders of the National Union of Media Workers have been in a hunger since February 12 in front of the Seoul's Press Center. A seven-hour cultural activity is going on today, and a closing press conference will be held in front of the Central Government Complex tomorrow morning at 10am.

KoA Protest Delegation Holds All-night Vigil, Congressional Briefing in D.C.

As the 7th round of Korea-U.S. FTA negotiations proceeds, protests in South Korea are being matched by protests in Washington D.C. Since their arrival on December 10th the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA’s (KoA) protest delegation has come together with American-based organizations and activists to engage in a diverse activities ranging from an all-night demonstration in front of the negotiations site to briefings with U.S. congress members. The delegation is made up of representatives from farmers', labor, media, women's, and civil society organizations in South Korea.

Formal activities began on Sunday (Feb. 11) with a morning press conference in front of the Washington Court Hotel, where the negotiators are meeting and sleeping, and an opening rally and march, which began at Washington D.C.’s Malcolm X Park and ended at Lafayette Park directly in front of the White House. The protest, co-sponsored by KoA and Korean Americans against War and Neoliberalism (KAWAN), drew participants from U.S.-based labor, civil society, immigrant and people of color organizations. Afterwards, the delegation moved to the front of the Washington Court Hotel where they pitched two tents and began a sit-in vigil that will continue throughout the week, day and night, as a symbol of opposition to the undemocratic nature of the official talks.

Activities continued on Monday, with a labor-led anti-FTA protest co-sponsored by AFL-CIO and Change to Win. At the conclusion of this event several members of the delegation and other protest participants attempted to enter the negotiations site to deliver their criticisms of the FTA to the negotiators, but were held back by security. Undaunted, the protestors elected to sit down in front of the negotiations site and stay their all night, demanding that their message be heard. The group maintaining the outside vigil has received donations of food, coffee, and blankets from local civil society and church groups and chased after U.S. Chief Negotiator Wendy Cutler on her way back from Starbucks, chanting “No FTA!”

On the morning of the 13th, representatives from KoA, the Korean Confederation of Trade ,and AFL-CIO held a briefing with U.S. Congress members. The event was attended by around fifty staff members from the Senate and House. According to delegation participant Dong-gyu Kim (policy director of South Korea's Korean People's Solidarity), “staff members from at least 15 states attended the briefing. It is clear by the overall level of participation and the serious questions posed by the audience that this event was important in increasing the level of interest in and consciousness about the Korea-U.S. FTA.”

Activities will continue tomorrow with a forum on the Korea-U.S. FTA, Fast Track, and fair trade with American civil society organizations and representatives from the anti-Colombia-U.S. FTA struggle. A final demonstration will be held in the evening. Given the strong push for progress at this round of negotiations, with 18 major areas under discussion, an agreement reached on electronics, and large concessions expected from both sides, it can be expected that the delegation will maintain the strength of its resolution and opposition to the FTA until the last moment of the talks.

Limiting Access to Healthcare: FTA and Pharmaceuticals

South Korea, like many other countries, has a system of universal healthcare, which was first implemented in 1987. Although by no means comprehensive, this system currently, provides access to medicine and basic treatment at reasonably affordable prices. The Korea-U.S. FTA, however, stands to drastically undermine this system, in particular through its provisions on pharmaceuticals. This analysis looks at three problem areas: drug pricing, the FTA effect on Korea’s positive drug list system, and intellectual property rights.

Drug Pricing

Even with national health insurance many pharmaceuticals are very expensive for the majority of people in South Korea. Prices for innovative new drug are already in accordance with average factory prices in the 7 wealthiest countries (A7 countries: U.S., UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland). In some cases, prices are even higher in South Korea: for instance, the price of leukemia treatment drug Gleevec is $23 in South Korea while it is only $19 in the U.S. By demanding that all patented pharmaceuticals be innovative drugs and all innovative drugs be priced at the A7 average, the FTA stands to greatly exacerbate this situation, inevitably raising medicine prices to an unaffordable level for the public. The FTA does not recognize that ordinary people in Korea simply cannot meet the drug cost of people in the wealthiest nations.

Effects on the Positive List System

South Korea’s positive drug list, introduced last December, contains drugs that are proven to be efficacious, price-competitive, and covered by health insurance. The USTR Office has partially accepted this system, but is requesting the inclusion of expensive pricing for innovative drugs and, furthermore, the installation of an independent review board, thereby restricting the government’s authority to register drugs and determine their prices at affordable rates. An independent review board will most likely be unfamiliar with the actual economic and social conditions in South Korea and favorable to the interest of transnational pharmaceutical companies. As such it stands to compromise the health of the South Korean population in the interest of corporate market access.

Intellectual Property Rights

The protection of intellectual property rights through drug patents has been an important issue in the FTA. If the trade agreement is signed, it will extend the current term of patents by at least 5 years. In dollar amount, this would translate to 6 billion dollars of financial burden on South Korea’s national insurance system, resulting in increased prices across the board. The extension of patents would also prevent fair competition for domestic generic drug industries, restricting patients’ access to these lower-priced medicines. Further, the current FTA provides for pharmaceutical company’s exclusive rights to drug data. This data is essential in the production of generics worldwide. Currently, the percentage of generic drugs under national insurance is increasing every year; generic drugs, needless to say, are crucial in providing affordable medicine to the populations of both the U.S. and South Korea.

On November 4, 2001, the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference at Doha adopted the “Declaration on TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.” The Doha Declaration states that “the TRIPS Agreement does not and should not prevent members from taking measures to protect public health.” It makes clear that on the occasion of a clash, the right to a healthy life is greater than intellectual property rights. Although a tool of the WTO, the Doha Agreement at least sets as a minimum criterion that public health must be protected from the often irresponsible effects of economic pursuit. The Korea-U.S. FTA, in ignoring the public interest, plainly fails to meet the Doha Agreement.

This disregard for public interest is further evident in the negotiations process were a “big deal” exchange between South Korea’s pharmaceuticals and automobiles, and U.S.’s trade remedies is in the works. Pharmaceuticals, which provide an essential public service, should not be treated as a commodity similar to automobiles.

We can anticipate that the FTA will bring not only a rise in drug prices and treatment cost, but also a breakdown in South Korea’s healthcare system itself. Access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare is a public right that must be protected, and has priority over commercial interests. We cannot accept a trade deal that restricts this right.

No FTA Newsletter 02-11-2007

(nofta) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:53:26 +0900

No FTA Newsletter

Official News of the Korean Alliance Against KorUS FTA

Vol. 1, No. 1, February 11, 2007

In the Newsletter

Headline

Protest Delegation Sets off for Washington, D.C.

Actions
Farmers, Livestock Raisers, and Civil Society Groups Protest Beef Import Talks, 13 Arrested

Analysis

The Undemocratic Character of the FTA Negotiations Process

Protest Delegation Sets off for Washington D.C.

On February 10, a Korean Protest Delegation made up of representatives from workers, farmers, cultural and social movement organizations left Incheon Airport for the United States. at 3:05pm. The group's mission is to protest the Korea-US FTA negotiations, which will go into their 7 ^th round from Feb. 11 to 14 at the Hyatt Regent in Washington, D.C.

This is not the first time that such a group has gone to the U.S. Since the 2^nd round of talks were held in D.C. in June of last year, the Korean Alliance against the KorUS FTA, a coalition of over 300 groups in South Korea, has organized protest delegations of this kind to send each time the FTA negotiations are held abroad. Korean delegations have now protested in D.C., Seattle and Montana during the first, third and fifth round of talks. The second, fourth and sixth rounds were held in South Korea.

This 7^th round of talks is especially significant. The negotiators from both countries are racing to reach an agreement in time to submit it to the U.S. Congress before the U.S. president's Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) expires on July 1 ^st. TPA authorizes the president to sign an agreement before Congress sees it and then requires that Congress vote it up or down with out amendment. Because trade legislation must be submitted to Congress at least 90 days in advance of a vote, the Korea-US FTA must be concluded by the end of March to meet the deadline. Although Kim Jong-hoon, chief negotiator for the Korean side as mentioned the possibility of an 8 ^th round, both sides are hoping to make significant progress, if not conclude a deal this week.

Predicting that large concessions will be made in order get an agreement signed, the Korean protest delegation and American-based organizations are changing their tactics to meet the situation. Besides standard rallies, street demonstrations and vigils, they will hold an overnight tent protest for the entire span of the negotiations. Advocacy work on Capitol Hill is also planned in anticipation that the agreement will be concluded. The protest delegates will throw all their energy into raising awareness about the FTA, which they say is 'unfair trade' that will cost jobs and increase social polarization in both countries, from the streets to the briefing rooms.

But the protest delegations have had results other than just strengthening FTA-sentiment. The Koreans have also built a strong solidarity with Korean Americans, in particular the national organization Korean Americans against War and Neoliberalism (KAWAN). KoA and KAWAN have now been working together for nine months to carry out the anti-FTA struggle on both sides of the Pacific. In addition, exchanges have occurred and solidarity built with other immigrant, people of color and queer communities and labor organizations in the U.S. who are fighting neoliberalism. "I have a lot of expectations," said Soo-kyung Jang, Executive Director of the Women's Committee of KoA. "Personally I am looking forward to meeting the brothers and sisters I met in Seattle and sharing ideas about solidarity."

Protest will also occur in Seoul, South Korea at the same time as they are going on in D.C. KoA has planned events through the week, including a large rally and prayer protest this Monday, but has been denied permits, even for peaceful demonstrations. In fact, the South Korean government has enforced a ban on all FTA protests since last November, actively seeking to quell anti-FTA sentiment. Organizers, undaunted, say they will go ahead with their plans and call the government's ban a violation of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

Farmers, Livestock Raisers, and Civil Society Groups Protest Beef Import Talks, 13 Arrested

On the morning of February 8, farmers, livestock raisers and civil society organizations gathered in front of the National Veterinary Research Quarantine Service to protest technical negotiations on U.S. beef imports being held there between representatives from the U.S. and South Korea.

The negotiations were held as a result of U.S. demands for the full reopening of South Korea's market to U.S. beef. Korea first shut its doors three years ago after mad cow disease was discovered in the U.S., but agreed allow in boneless meat last year as a precondition to beginning FTA negotiations. Since then, however, three shipments of beef have been turned back after they were found to contain bone fragments. Calling these measures an overreaction, the U.S. beef industry and supportive congressmen have called for technical negotiations to solve the issue, and U.S. chief FTA negotiator Wendy Cutler has stated that Korea's market must be fully opened in order for the FTA to be concluded.

Farmers' organizations and civil society groups, however, are against the weakening of Korea's health and sanitation regulations which are meant to protect consumers against mad cow disease. Moreover, they criticized the talks as a forum for American political pressure. The U.S. negotiating team was made up, not of specialists, but of executives from the U.S. beef industry and others representing their interests.

Protesters gathered around 9 in the morning on the 8th, before the negotiators arrived. When a car carrying the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry appeared at around 9:20am protesters blocked it with their bodies, stopping it from entering the negotiation site through the front gate. Police arrived soon after and a clash ensued. When protesters again attempted to block the entrance when the negotiators arrived, the police moved swiftly to arrest them. In the evening protesters held a candle light vigil and again tried to block the negotiators van as it left the site. In all 13 people were arrested, five without detention.

The technical talks themselves ended without progress. As critiques had feared the South Korean side conceded to weakening its regulations on beef imports. However, the U.S. were not satisfied with even this and continued to demand nothing less than full market-opening. The talks are scheduled to open again during the 7th round of FTA negotiations.

The Undemocratic Character of the FTA Negotiations Process

On February 2, 2006, South Korea and the U.S. announced that they would begin negotiations for a free trade agreement. From the start, however, the negotiation process and the content of the FTA have caused great concerns in labor, agriculture, and civil society sectors in both the U.S. and South Korea. Apart from critiques that the FTA will mean a loss of jobs for farmers and workers and increased social polarization, the manner in which the negotiations have been carried out has sparked rising anger. Indeed, the negotiations have proceeded in a highly undemocratic manner amidst repressive conditions since even before they officially began

Four Preconditions
Before the start of official FTA negotiations the United States required that South Korea commit to four preliminary measures as preconditions for talks to begin. These included 1) suspension of regulations on pharmaceutical products, 2) easing of government regulations of gas emissions from imported U.S. cars, 3) resumption of U.S. beef imports, and 4) reduction of the quota which requires South Korean cinemas to screen South Korean films from 146 to 73 days per year. While the actual implementation of each of these measures is in different stages, what is of concern here, apart from the United States' unilateral and imposing attitude, is that the South Korean government agreed to them completely without public dialogue, and reported about them deceitfully to the Korean people. For a long time government authorities even denied the possibility that these sensitive issues would be involved in preconditions for FTA negotiations. In a representative case, only two days before the screen quota reduction was announced, Trade Minister Hyun-chong Kim insisted that there was no plan for such a reduction, denying the need for further discussion with representatives of the film industry.

Access to Information and Public Debate
Lack of disclosure and insufficient public debate have been trends throughout the negotiations, inconsistent not only with democratic spirit but also with South Korean law. For example, the presidential directive concerning the pursuit of FTAs requires that a public hearing be called before negotiations ensue. Such hearings are meant to be forums for discussion through which the opinions of Korean civilians are taken into consideration. Steps taken to meet this directive were a pure formality: only one public hearing was called for February 2, 2006, just hours before the formal announcement that the US and Korea would begin talks was made. Given that the decision had already been reached, the hearing was obviously not really a space for public discussion. Report that the official announcement would be made the following day drew an angry reaction from the audience, resulting in a suspension of the hearing.

Despite South Korean chief negotiator Jong-hoon Kim's promise that greater effort would be made to seek public opinion, no further hearings have occurred. Rather, the government has routinely ignored appeals from stakeholders and citizens who have criticisms of the FTA. In addition, the government has refused to disclose relevant information including the draft of the agreement and the specific results of each round of negotiations. Even National Assembly members have had very limited access: the reports they receive are generally only as detailed as those released to the media, and the time allowed to review these English-language documents is restricted to the same length as that usually allocated for Korean-language materials.

On top of this, both the U.S. and South Korean governments have gone out of their way to keep much of the talks removed from public view. This began when the 4th round of talks were scheduled to be held on Jaeju Island and continued with the 5th round held at a remote sky resort in Montana. Following, senior-level meetings held secretly in Hawaii between the 5th and 6th official fueled Korean citizens' distrust for the negotiations process as a whole. Indeed, the secretive and undemocratic manner in which the government is moving forward is one of the important reasons behind opposition to the FTA.

Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
Even more disturbing than the lack of public disclosure is the extent to which the South Korean government has gone to suppress anti-FTA sentiment. This was plainly evident earlier this year, when farmers' and filmmakers' organizations attempted to run a television advertisement entitled, "A Letter from One's Hometown" which included images of farmers expressing their opposition to the FTA. Upon reviewing the ad, the Korean Advertising Review Board (KARB) stipulated that the farmers' comments had to be erased before broadcasting, effectively prohibiting the ad from screening. The KARB made its decision on the basis that the comments gave a "one-sided portrayal of a dispute involving a government agency." Ironically, while "A Letter from One's Hometown" was barred, a $3.8 million government-produced ad aired. It is clear that the ad's main statement—"the Korea-U.S. FTA is a new opportunity for South Korea to leap into the position of a great economic power"—does not capture the full range of public sentiment, which is split roughly in half for and against the FTA. However, as a government production, this ad was not reviewed by the KARB and therefore not required to meet their conditions on objectivity. The contradiction in the two cases has invoked criticisms from citizens groups and specialists in the field, even those within the national Korean Broadcasting Commission, who see the incident an undue closure of public debate at a time when more is needed and an a violation of freedom of expression inconsistent with the standards of a modern democracy.

Severe restrictions have also been placed on peaceful protest. The government routinely deploys thousands of police to contain demonstrations, often violently. Limits have been especially intense since last November, when the government used the excuse of a clash between farmers and police to place a complete ban further protest. Since then all demonstrations have been outlawed with checkpoints set up on major roads leading to Seoul, to stop regional farmers and workers from entering the capital. The police have issued summons and warrants for over 170 people, raided the local offices of peasant and civil society organizations, made threatening phone calls to demonstration participants, entered their relatives' houses seeking arrest, and detained 21 leaders of farmers and workers organization in an attempt to stop future opposition. It is plainly evident that the incident on November 22, which was neither wide-spread nor premeditated, does not warrant these extreme measures taken in its wake.

The excessive imprisonment of civil society leaders and ban on peaceful protest is inconsistent with the rights to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in both the South Korean and United States constitutions. This was confirmed by the National Human Rights Commission on December 5, which called for all possible measures to be taken to enable peaceful protests to go forward the following day, including the withdrawal of the demonstration ban. Yet, despite this statement, the government and police have continued their efforts to shut down protests and silence opposition. The undemocratic nature of the negotiations process is one testimony to the fact the South Korean government is trying to push through a highly unpopular deal without concern for the interests the Korean people.

[KoA Newsletter#4]Korean government's repression on the anti-KorUS FTA movement intensified

(nofta) — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:04:15 +0900

KoA Newsletter #4

Korean government's repression on the anti-KorUS FTA movement intensified

Police attack and repression on workers and farmers are intensified after the first "Mass People's Resistance against KorUS FTA" on 22nd of November. Up to date over police issued summons and warrants of arrests to more than 170 workers and farmers who joined the first "Mass People's Resistance against KorUS FTA"

After the first rally, police raided nine local KoA and Korean Peasant League offices. Police even raided relatives' house to find activists and it is known that special teams are made to catch workers and farmers. Workers and farmers under warrants are having sit-ins in churches and temples. A special team for arresting anti-KorUS FTA activists was made and are following up the workers and farmers.

It was also reported that police called peasants home and threatened them not to join the rally. Police even watched them just in front of peasants house on 29th morning. The government ordered police to block highways and railway station to deter peasant joining the rally which would be held in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

The main target of 29th repression was farmers and peasants' rally. The rally to be held in front of the Seoul railway station was dismissed by police and police arrested 9 peasants crying out against police blockage. Despite the fact, 700 peasant and farmers succeeded to have peasants and farmers' rally.

Voice against KorUS FTA occupied roads on 29th November

The 2nd "Mass People's Resistance against KorUS FTA" continued. The Korean government still didn't allow rallies on the day even it is basic people's rights to have rally given by the Constitutional Law. Korean Alliance against KorUS FTA had no choice but to have rally on the streets on the 29th of November. Even though police blocked streets, 3,000 workers, farmers and social movements activists run and occupied main road of Seoul shouting "Stop the KorUS FTA Right Now". The rally ended with candle light virgil. The 3rd "Mass People's Resistance against KorUS FTA" will be continued on 6th December while the 5th round of talks over KorUS FTA being held from 4th to 8th of Dec. in Montana, US.

[KoA Newsletter#3] The Mass People's Resistance against KorUS FTA has started

(nofta) — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:36:34 +0900

In South Korea, the Mass People’s Resistance has started.

On November 22nd, in the capital of Seoul and throughout the surrounding Kyung-gi Province, from Choong-chung to Kang-won, from Jun-book to Kwang-ju City in Southern Cholla Province, in 17 places around the country all toll, the Mass People’s Resistance against the KorUS FTA began. November 22nd was only the first of three mass demonstrations, the second and third of which will occur on November 29th and December 6th. These protests are an organized outcry against the KorUS FTA, a great collective demand for an end to rising social polarization and respect for the basic rights of farmers and laborers be—a struggle of all common people in South Korea. On November 22nd workers, farmers, poor people and other Korean citizens raised their voices in anger, refusing to be silent in the face of the injustices before them. While in most areas, public buildings became the targets of the people’s censure and condemnation for the entire day, administrative offices in Choong-nam, Kang-won and Jun-nam and the city hall in Kwang-ju City were temporarily overtaken by workers and farmers, rightly filled with rage.

What do the events of November 22nd show us? They show us clearly that the opening of agricultural markets and other neoliberal policies of the Noh Moohyun administration are crushing lives, and the people of Korea can only but respond with rage and indignation. They show us that the people of Korea will not tolerate the KorUS FTA, which they know will further destroy basic labor rights and strengthen social polarization.

In a time when people around the world are crying for peace on the Korean peninsula, the Noh administration has responded to the rightful demands of Korean worker and farmers only with violence.
We have already watched in broad daylight as policemen answer the farmers’ cry for their basic right to a livelihood and the workers’ cry for their basic labor rights with not words but deadly blows of from their clubs and shields.

Now again, the Noh administration is turning away from the people’s demands, from peace and from democracy and indulging in bloodshed and repression.
The government, which has always ignored the outcry against the FTA, now claims the farmers and workers are holding “violent” protests for no reason at all, as if it is not obvious that the people of Korea have many reasons to protest. And, while the right to demonstrate is protected by the South Korean constitution, the government has denying permits for further rallies. What is more, the government has now delivered summons to leadership of the Korean Alliance against KorUS FTA (KOA), the number having reached 80 people around the country. In a true mockery of democracy, the police have begun raids, targeting regional KOA, and especially Korean Peasant League offices and stealing all kinds of instruments and documents. The government and the mainstream media together do not report why the farmers and workers are fighting. Instead they paint a distorted image of those who protest as simply violent criminals.

This is the government repression that began on November 22nd and is continuing to spread like a forest fire.
However, the people’s struggle to block the KorUS FTA will not end here. On November 29th and December 6th the people’s voices will rise again in a great cry of outrage. Through our united struggle, the workers, farmers and common people of Korea will, without fail, stop the KorUS FTA.