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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

From Lee Han-yeol to Lee Seok-gyu: Pens Raised at Geoje Shipyard

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • The article commemorates the death of Lee Seok-gyu, a 21-year-old Daewoo Shipbuilding worker, who died from shrapnel from a tear gas canister during the 1987 labor movement, drawing parallels to the death of student activist Lee Han-yeol.
  • It recounts the intense labor struggles of 1987, sparked by Lee Han-yeol's death, which led to demands for democratic labor unions and culminated in significant protests across various industries, including at Daewoo Shipbuilding.
  • The piece details the harsh working conditions at Daewoo Shipbuilding and the workers' fight for rights, highlighting the tragic incident on August 22, 1987, where Lee Seok-gyu was killed during a confrontation with riot police, fueling further worker solidarity.

In the summer of 1987, as tear gas choked the streets of Seoul following the death of student activist Lee Han-yeol, a similar tragedy unfolded at the Daewoo Shipbuilding shipyard in Geoje. Lee Seok-gyu, a 21-year-old worker, became another martyr of the era, succumbing to injuries from a tear gas canister fragment during a labor protest. His death, echoing the national outrage over Lee Han-yeol's demise, further fueled the burgeoning labor movement.

The year 1987 was a period of intense upheaval, marked by the "Great Labor Struggle." Lee Han-yeol's death in June ignited widespread protests, leading to the government's promise of direct presidential elections. The ensuing "National Democratic Funeral" for Lee Han-yeol drew over a million people, a testament to the public's demand for change. This fervor spread to factories nationwide, with workers demanding the establishment of democratic labor unions and the dismantling of company-controlled unions.

A person has died. He was killed by a tear gas canister fired by the police.

— WorkerShouted at the scene of Lee Seok-gyu's death.

At Daewoo Shipbuilding, the struggle for workers' rights was already underway. For months, anonymous leaflets had been distributed, exposing the company's unfair practices. Despite the company's attempts to suppress dissent through transfers, dispatches, and dismissals, the workers' resolve only grew. A poignant moment captured the harsh reality of their labor: a tour for workers' families revealed the perilous conditions, the precision required in their tasks, and the physical toll of working in protective gear under extreme heat, evoking deep empathy from their loved ones.

The climax of the labor dispute at Daewoo Shipbuilding occurred on August 22, 1987. After days of stalled negotiations, a confrontation erupted between workers and riot police outside the Okpo Tourist Hotel, where negotiations were taking place. In a sudden escalation, police unleashed tear gas. Amidst the chaos, Lee Seok-gyu was struck by shrapnel, sustaining fatal wounds. His death galvanized the workers, with his funeral procession eventually heading to the 5.18 National Cemetery in Gwangju, a symbol of resistance and sacrifice.

We don't need money anymore. Bring Seok-gyu back to life.

— WorkerExpressing grief and anger after Lee Seok-gyu's death.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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