Amnesty G48 January Meeting
January 5, 2008, 3rd Floor, St. Bede, Hyehwa, 4pm

Meeting Theme: Migrant Workers Rights in Korea

Review of Past Month’s Actions

On December 22, G48 set up a stall near Anguk station in Insadong to
highlight the plight of migrant workers and petition the South Korean
government to sign up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Migrant
Workers. G48 collected over 80 signatures and distributed pamphlets to
attract new members to our group.

Tom and Jay attended the “Workshop of the Activists for the Progress
of the Women’s Movement for Settlement of the Japanese Military Sexual
Slavery Issue” on December 26 ~ 28, 2007 at the RAMADA Hotel & Suites
in Seoul . The workshop aimed to examine and evaluate 2007 campaigns
and efforts to pass parliamentary resolutions. The panel discussed
future actions which will include a special demonstration outside of
the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on February 13, 2008. The demonstration
marks the 800th weekly demonstration held by the victims of Japanese
military sexual slavery.

Jay attended the ‘Death penalty free nation celebration event’ in
front of the National Assembly Building in Yeouido on December 30,
2007. The event included a performance and the release of 64 pigeons
which represented the number of death row inmates currently in South
Korea .

Seoul Amnesty International Groups update and networking strategy (Jay
Yeon)

Jay’s unofficial report observes that the number of AI groups is
decreasing and many groups are becoming less active. He highlighted
the activities of several other groups in Seoul , including the Group
49 which is working on Falun Gong issues and Group 22 which held
fund-raising parties in 2005 and 2006 and raised 2 million and 700,000
Won respectively. Jay found that there was little or no formal or
regular communication between groups. He also observed that most
groups have their own web sites, but are not updated frequently and
that the AI Korea web site bulletin boards are under utilized.

Theme Discussion: Migrant Workers Rights in Korea

MTU update, information and strategy session (with special guests
Wol-san Liem, MTU International Solidarity Coordinator + Gobil, MTU
Organizer)

Wol-san gave the group a recent historical overview of the situation
for migrant workers in Korea and the actions of the Migrant Trade
Union. Discussion topics included; the secretive deportation of the
Migrants’ Trade Union’s leaders (President Kajiman, Vice President
Raju, and General Secretary Masum); the Ministry of Justice’s proposal
for the revision of South Korea is immigration law; crackdowns,
detainments and deportations; deterioration of the rights of
undocumented workers; and MTU’s struggle to gain legal status. Wol-san
also informed the group of the sit-ins and vigils on the 4th floor of
the KNCC to protest the crackdown and deportations. They are also
demanding an apology and the proposed revision of immigration law.
G48 will try to coordinate the vigil visit for our group to lend our
support. They are also looking for people to come and perform as well.

Refugees in Korea (Won-Geum (Frank) Choi, Amnesty Korea Refugee Team
Spokesperson)

Frank described the challenges facing refugees and asylum-seekers
coming to Korea . He explained that the Korean government does not
provide a living wage for asylum-seekers. In fact, they’re not allowed
to work under the current law and will likely become undocumented
workers. He suggested we consider the struggles of refugees and
migrant workers as an integrated issue. Frank also highlighted the
limited conditions under which an individual qualifies for asylum in
Korea . War and calamity, in fact, are not grounds for gaining
asylum. The Amnesty Korea Refugee Team is demanding the recognition
of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Future Actions

12th of January,2008, 2pm

Members of AI Korea will have a street campaign for closing down the
U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo bay, Cuba , in front of Unesco
Building , Myeongdong, from 2 pm, 12th of January. We’ll collect
signatures from passers-by who want to ask President Bush to close it
down. You can also participate in the web action to tear down the
Guantanamo Bay at http://www.tearitdown.org/ .

February 13, 2008, 12 noon

This marks the 800th weekly demonstration held by the victims of
Japanese military sexual slavery outside of the Japanese Embassy near
Anguk station.

March 8, 2008

This marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Actions
will most certainly be coordinated for this day. Details to follow.

Any Other Business 

Networking with other Amnesty groups in Seoul (Jay suggested
connecting with foreign language high schools which usually have
Amnesty membership and youth members).

Continued focus on the issue of Migrant Workers Rights in Korea at our
next meeting.

Including the issue of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery on the agenda
of our next meeting (Joe suggested that Angela might present something
at the next meeting).

Mr. Sung suggested we also consider Issues concerning National
Security Law in our next meetings.

Date of next meeting

Saturday, February 2, 4 – 6 p.m. @ 3rd Floor, St. Bede, Hyehwa