Government Crisis Management Lacking

Illegal strikes and violent demonstrations have taken place much too often since the incumbent administration took office to the extent that they are feared to be routine. The law-breaking strikes and violent protests not only cause inconveniences to the Korean people, but also harm the Korean economy.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the government itself has undermined its authority as a law-enforcement body and invited the vicious cycle of illegality and violence by its tepid response.

Now the public strongly calls for measures to prevent militant strikes from recurring in the wake of the nine-day sit-in by some Pohang city construction union workers armed with flamethrowers protesting at steelmaker POSCO’s headquarters.

Some say that the government must take a harsh stance, pointing to the fact that unionized workers voluntarily disbanded and withdrew from the protests right after a stern warning issued by the government, which had hesitated to step in and allowed further unrest.

There are many cases besides the violent demonstrations at POSCO. Members of the Korean Alliance against the Korea-U.S. FTA staged an aggressive protest at the square in front of Seoul City Hall on July 12. Some of them wielded bamboo clubs and metal pipes against the police and threw sidewalk blocks at them. Containing the illegal campaign, more than ten officers were wounded, and some of them left with their ears torn.

Protesters of the Pan South Korea Solution Committee against the U.S. base extension in Pyeongtaek also caused unrest in May, injuring over ten officers with wooden clubs. Two soldiers who had their arms broken were transported on a UH-1H helicopter to a military hospital.

Up until now, the government has apparently demanded law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint rather than bringing those responsible for the unlawful activities to justice. After the demonstrations in Pyeongtaek in May, then Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung even said that he extended gratitude and sympathy toward officers for coping with the crisis peacefully and patiently, and that they had to make sure to carry around self-protection gears such as shielding equipment.

Regarding this, the sitting administration’s conflict-resolving mechanism has come under fire. With the recent unrest at POSCO, the government sat on hands at first, and belatedly interfered by holding ministerial meetings after much criticism.

It is a common view that the government has failed to organize systematic responses and randomly handle cases depending on public sentiment at each moment.

Late last year, when two farmers died during their protests, Cheong Wa Dae was too mindful of public opinion without any principle while belatedly holding the then police chief accountable, exacerbating the situation.

Another reason for the growing violence is the mild punishment on strikers and protesters. A total of 4,223 people, or 58.7 percent of 7,193, over the past year have been charged for illegal demonstrations. However, only 93 were arrested, fewer than half of last year’s 221.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com