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Korean
Unions Want a "Just Energy Transition" and Shift Away from
Coal and Nuclear Power.
In this TUED bulletin, we focus on the inspiring
events that have occurred in the Republic of Korea in recent months.
As KPTU's Wol-san Liem explains, a
series of strikes and scandals since 2015 led to last October's mass
mobilizations and the fall of the conservative government and the
election, in May 2017, of the pro-reform government of President Moon
Jae-in. In the statement
the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers Union (KPTU) urged
the new government to eradicate the "structural evils" at
the level of government and economy. In recent weeks the national
trade union center (KCTU) has led a "social general
strike" against low wages, precarious work, and to
reverse the outgoing government's anti-worker laws.
 What Kind of Energy
Transition?
Meanwhile, air quality concerns have led
the Korean Power Plant Industry Union to support the new
government’s measures to close older coal-fired power stations
"because we are clear" said the union "about what kind
of country we want to leave for our descendants.” Full statement
here: Power Unions: “Although our
hearts are heavy, we welcome the shutdown of worn out coal power
plants”
In late July, the KPTU and the Korean Labour and Social Network on
Energy (KLSNE), a coalition of unions and civil society
organizations, said “We actively support the policy of phasing
out coal and nuclear and expanding clean renewable energy.” The statement urged
the development of, “A roadmap for energy transition that ensures
public accountability and strengthens democratic control of the
energy industry.” KPTU and KLSNE also committed “to work
together with the public and civil society to achieve a just
transition.”
Unions
Call for a “Just Energy Transition” to Move Away From Coal and
Nuclear
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