A long-running dispute between the unions and the government over proposed labour reforms to introduce more “flexibility” and change collective agreements led the unions to call for an indefinite strike beginning on 24 April 2015, after tri-partite talks had failed to reach agreement. The government issued stern warnings that charges would be brought against anyone taking part in the general strike, which it considered illegal on the grounds that the motive was political. In addition to opposing the proposed labour market reforms, the strike was aimed at supporting demands for an increase in the minimum wage, and the scrapping of plans for pension reforms in the public sector, which would cut benefits.
When the Korean Teachers’ Union (KTU) announced it would join the strike, the Education Ministry also threatened legal action, noting that they were banned by law from taking part in collective action – even though education is not classified as an essential service by the ILO.
Over 200,000 joined the unions’ call for the general strike, and government insisted again that disciplinary and legal measures would follow. It was as good as its word. Several trade union leaders were arrested for their role in the strike including Lee Gil-u, President of Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province Construction Site Workers’ Branch of the Korean Construction Workers’ Union (KCWU); Im Seong-yeol, Chief of Daegu Regional Council of the KCTU; and Park Hee-eun, Secretary General of the KCTU Daegu Regional Council .