Part 4, Chun Tae-il’s Dream
A promise with Tae-il
Before Tae-il died, he asked his mother to fulfill a mission he could not accomplish himself. Lee So-seon, his mother, promised to carry out her son’s wish, and she dedicated her efforts to this cause until her own death. After Tae-il's passing, Lee So-seon refused to hold a funeral and instead went on a protest, demanding eight provisions from employers and government authorities: paid holidays, legal wage increases, an eight-hour workday, regular health check-ups, women's menstrual leave, the abolition of attic sewing sweatshops, and support for unionization.
Tae-il’s protest sparked a growing awareness and concern about the severity of labor conditions. Despite facing various threats and negotiations from the government, Lee So-seon remained steadfast in her commitment. Aware of the shifting public opinion, government authorities eventually accepted the demands, and on November 27, 1970, the Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union was officially formed.
Tae-il’s protest sparked a growing awareness and concern about the severity of labor conditions. Despite facing various threats and negotiations from the government, Lee So-seon remained steadfast in her commitment. Aware of the shifting public opinion, government authorities eventually accepted the demands, and on November 27, 1970, the Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union was officially formed.
Struggle of Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union
After “The October Restoration” in 1972, the government intensified its suppression of labor unions. When unions achieved important milestones—such as reduced working hours, increased wages, and the establishment of labor schools—the authorities attempted to dismantle them. Activists supporting the unions were put on trial for violating the Emergency Measures, and Lee So-seon, who protested, was detained for contempt of court. After her release, the Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union launched a determined campaign demanding the rights to organize collectively, bargain collectively, and take collective action, as guaranteed by the Republic’s Constitution.
In early 1981, the newly established military government under Chun Doo-hwan ordered the dissolution of the Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union, which was facing significant challenges. Workers from Cheonggye Clothing and Lee So-seon fought vigorously for the union's legalization, which was finally achieved in 1988.
In early 1981, the newly established military government under Chun Doo-hwan ordered the dissolution of the Cheonggye Apparel Markets’ Labor Union, which was facing significant challenges. Workers from Cheonggye Clothing and Lee So-seon fought vigorously for the union's legalization, which was finally achieved in 1988.
The biography of Chun Tae-il
Cho Yeong-rae wrote the Biography of Chun Tae-il. While he was imprisoned and being sought for involvement in the student movement and the 1974 National Democracy Youth Student Confederation incident, he discovered Chun Tae-il’s memoirs. He based his work on the testimonies of Lee So-seon and Tae-il’s friends. However, due to the restrictive environment of the Yushin regime under Park Jung-hee’s government, publishing the book in South Korea was difficult. Consequently, it was first published in Japan in 1978. In South Korea, it was fist published anonymously in 1983 and later under Cho Yeong-rae's name in 1991, one year after his death. Eventually, the biography was translated into various languages and had a significant impact on labor movements in many countries.
The Development of the Labor Movement
After Chun Tae-il’s self-immolation protest, democratic labor unions were formed in factories. Numerous labor unions supported and joined each other to develop a democratic union movement.
The Park Chung-hee regime tried to block the three labor rights, but the YH Trade branch of the National Textile Workers’ Union and other branch-level unions worked hard to improve working conditions and defend the democratic branch-level unions.
The new military government of Chun Doo-hwan carried out a total revision of the labor law in the name of prohibition of multiple unions, prohibition of third-party intervention, and prohibition of political activities.
However, the labor movement entered a new phase as university students, workers, and farmers risked their lives to resist the military regime and demand social change. Following the Chun Doo-hwan administration's declaration on June 29, 1987, there was a significant surge in labor activism. This movement fundamentally transformed the landscape for all wage workers, making them the central force in the labor movement.
The Park Chung-hee regime tried to block the three labor rights, but the YH Trade branch of the National Textile Workers’ Union and other branch-level unions worked hard to improve working conditions and defend the democratic branch-level unions.
The new military government of Chun Doo-hwan carried out a total revision of the labor law in the name of prohibition of multiple unions, prohibition of third-party intervention, and prohibition of political activities.
However, the labor movement entered a new phase as university students, workers, and farmers risked their lives to resist the military regime and demand social change. Following the Chun Doo-hwan administration's declaration on June 29, 1987, there was a significant surge in labor activism. This movement fundamentally transformed the landscape for all wage workers, making them the central force in the labor movement.