Source: Korean Federation of Press Unions (KFPU) Personnel changes at the cultural newspaper “Munhwa Ilbo” (“Cultural Daily”) were announced on 15 July 1995 by the Hyundai Group, the company which owns the newspaper. The Hyundai Group transferred and shuffled 31 of the newspaper’s employees, claiming the changes were needed in preparation for “Munhwa Ilbo”‘s change […]
Source: Korean Federation of Press Unions (KFPU)
Personnel changes at the cultural newspaper “Munhwa Ilbo”
(“Cultural Daily”) were announced on 15 July 1995 by the Hyundai
Group, the company which owns the newspaper. The Hyundai Group
transferred and shuffled 31 of the newspaper’s employees,
claiming the changes were needed in preparation for “Munhwa
Ilbo”‘s change to a general daily. Two journalists in the
publication department were reportedly deprived of their status
as reporters and given posts in the business and sales
departments. Five other journalists in the editorial department
were ordered to transfer to distant bureaus where they had no
relatives or connections. This move goes against the common
Korean practice of locating journalists close to their ties and
connections.
The changes in personnel are believed to be in retaliation for
the 12 July founding of a union of “Munhwa Ilbo” journalists.
According to the Korean Federation of Press Unions (KFPU), 41
reporters from the editorial and publication departments of the
newspaper attended the inaugural congress of the union. The
“Munhwa Ilbo” journalists’ union, which is affiliated to the
KFPU, was formed in response to deteriorating work conditions at
the newspaper. KFPU said that “the barrack-like and `behind
closed doors’ management of the company has been suffocating its
reporters, suppressing their initiative and creativity, as well
as [their] basic rights as reporters.”
JSS notes that six of the seven journalists affected by personnel
changes were elected to the executive committee of the newly-
formed union. Four of the seven were deputy section heads of
their respective departments.
The “Munhwa Ilbo” journalists’ union deems the transfer orders in
violation of fair labour practices, and has called on the company
to withdraw the measures. The union has proposed collective
bargaining with management. However, the Hyundai Group has
ignored the union’s proposals. On 5 August, the company’s
disciplinary committee is expected to fire six reporters who did
not follow orders for their transfers.
As of 3 August, the “Munhwa Ilbo” journalists’ union had a
membership of 186, which represents 95 percent of reporters in
the editorial department.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the management of the newspaper:
freedom of speech
freely
Appeals To
Chung Se-Yung
President
Hyundai Group
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Fax: +82 2 741 0470
Yon In-Keun
President
“Munhwa Ilbo”
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Fax: +82 2 730 4569
Minister Jin Nyum
Ministry of Labour
1 Chung Ang Dong, Kwacheon City
Kyun Ki Do, Republic of Korea
Representative Chung Mong-Joon
(member of the National Assembly)
Room 301
Centre of National Assembly
1 Yaido dong, Yungdeungpo-gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Fax: +82 2 788 3301
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
