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??/SPAN>s audio-visual industry.
If this agreement goes into effect, it will put Korean people??/SPAN>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??/SPAN> Union, India
(Currently at Sungkonghoe University)
4. Mohindolin Ahmed
Professor
Sungkonghoe University
