Public sector workers, including civil servants, teachers, and police officers, gathered in downtown Seoul to demand the restoration of real wages and improvements in working conditions. They urged the government to take immediate action, citing wage increases that lag behind inflation and excessive workloads as factors driving workers out of the public sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 'Joint Committee for the Rights of Public Officials and Teachers,' formed by five organizations including the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU), the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA), and the Police Officers' Association, held the 'July 11 Public Officials and Teachers Workers' Rally' on the streets near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 11. Organizers estimated that over 14,000 participants attended.
The committee's four key demands include: a 7.1% wage increase for public officials in 2027 and the adjustment of allowances, immediate pension payments upon retirement to address income gaps, the guarantee of basic political rights, and the establishment of a safe working environment by eliminating malicious complaints.
Lee Hae-jun, chair of the KGEU, stated, "We will fight to change the electoral system that shifts unilateral responsibility and suffering onto lower-ranking officials. Public officials have always been the first to step up when the country is in crisis. Let us unite and fight to achieve a 7.1% wage increase for public officials in 2027."
Gong Ju-seok, chair of the KGEU Federation, pointed out, "As of last year, over 9,000 individuals faced income gaps after retirement, with 4,100 this year and an additional 6,800 next year, including teachers. A total of 139 individuals have died from vascular diseases directly related to overwork. You could be next."
Kim Woo-jung, secretary of the Imsil County Public Officials Union, remarked, "What happened during the last election? We were forced to work for low wages that didn't even meet the minimum wage, while being burdened with various election-related tasks. In nearby cities, apartment prices are around 600 million won, and it would take over 17 years of saving every paycheck just to afford one."
Park Young-hwan, chair of the KFTA, said, "The drama 'True Education' was popular. While no one agrees with violent solutions, it is clear that the situation in the field has reached a breaking point. We demand solutions to the issues of malicious complaints and child abuse reports."
Kim Hwa-jung, chair of the Gwangju Firefighters' Union, emphasized, "The wage gap between private companies and public officials is widening every year. We must secure a 7.1% wage increase and the abolition of the overtime pay adjustment rate."
During the rally, participants also engaged in a collective action performance by sending direct messages to President Lee Jae-myung's official social media account, urging improvements in the treatment and conditions of public officials.
The committee has indicated that if wage increases and allowance improvements are not adequately addressed during the ongoing discussions of the Public Officials Salary Commission, they will continue to hold additional rallies and escalate their protests against the government until the budget for the next fiscal year is finalized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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