We received the following e-mail message from a South Korean worker on January 13: "Many of my friends fight the labour law. One man is dead. We need your help. Today socialism is illegal in South Korea. We need international friends. Help!".
The first issue of Green Left Weekly this year heralded the strike and interviewed Jongsoae Oh, a member of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), currently on tour in Australia.
This issue, the second for 1997, carries the Korean workers' struggle as its back cover story. Activists selling Green Left will be collecting money off stalls to donate to the striking workers. Union militants selling the paper will be taking collections at their workplaces and at union meetings. We call on others to follow their lead.
We have also decided to send a complimentary subscription to the KCTU.
Just as Green Left campaigns in solidarity with those in struggle, wherever they may be, Green Left itself needs support and solidarity. We are extremely heartened by the support and commitment of activists for the subscription campaign launched this year. The commitments we've received exceed the 500 target that was set.
But these activists still need your support if the campaign is to succeed. You can help in the following ways:
- Buy a subscription if you haven't got one already.
- If you are a current subscriber, recruit a friend as a new subscriber.
- Consider a donation to our fighting fund (see page 4 for details).
Remember — the complimentary subscription to the KCTU costs Green Left around $160. We (also) need your help!
Subscription campaign targets
Adelaide 60
Brisbane 65
Canberra 50
Darwin 10
Fremantle 10
Hobart 25
Melbourne 100
Newcastle 20
Perth 40
Sydney 120
Penrith 15
Wollongong 25