Retracing Martyr Jeon with 700,000 Migrant Workers

Jeon Tae-il, a martyr for Labor, planted the seeds of the Korea labor movement. On November 13 1970, a 22-year-old youth, Jeon Tae-il shouted out “Observe the Labor Standards Act. We are not machines!” in protest against long hours, more than 15 hours a day, and the low minimum wage. After this, he poured gasoline all over his body and lit himself on fire. This year we enter the 41st anniversary of his death.

His noble sacrifice brought the labor movement in Korea into the public eye. Now our society has grown enough to produce a member of the national Assembly from working class and to make political party for the workers. However, an important issue is that other workers like Jeon Tae-il still exist up to this day. Around 700,000 migrant workers have come South Korea from Asia with the Korean dream.

Since the 1990s they have come to South Korea to work in 3D industries which Korean avoid because of the long hours and low wages. In addition, they suffer from racial discrimination and cultural prejudice. They are a modern version of Jeon Tae-il. They must be given their rights in line with the Labor Standard Law and the Korean minimum wage system.

We must realize their important value, that they are a bridge to strengthen the economic relations between Korea and other Asian countries. I think a true multicultural society and internationalization is what we should communicate to all foreigners, without any discrimination.

For this reason, the Koreagovernment labor camps, and civil society should pay more attention to Asia. South Korea has achieved the democratization and industrialization, and civic socialization in a short period of time. Other Asian countries are keen to grow like Korea. A strategy to win in both South Korea and Asia is required, and the arrival of 700,000 migrant workers in Korea from Asia is its main character.