The mass protest movement of 2015 and 2016 in South Korea against corruption and abuse of power were able to bring down the President - Park Geun-hye. The working class, headed by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions were central in organising this movement.

The KCTU paid a high price for their succeess with two of their leaders, Han Sang gyun and Lee Young joo both jailed. In addition, many workers had expectations that the new government headed by President Moon Jae-in was going to be more worker friendly than past Presidents. This unfortunately has not happened.

We caught up with Ms Lee earlier in the week to discuss the state of the workers movement in South Korea under the new government of President Moon Jae-in. The interview was conducted through an interpreter and the voice that you hear translating Ms Lee’s answers is that of Mikyung Ryu, the KCTU International Director.

Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia