Ryu Gi-sop KCTU Secretary General Highlights Union Collaboration for Better Public Services and Labor Value

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) held its first joint workshop for 300,000 public officials and teachers on June 8, 2026. The event brought together the Federation of Public Officials, the Education Federation, and the Teachers’ Union Federation to coordinate efforts toward improving public services and upholding labor values in South Korea.

Which organizations participated in the FKTU workshop?

The workshop focused on a massive coalition of public sector workers. According to the FKTU, the event involved three primary organizations: the Federation of Public Officials, the Education Federation, and the Teachers’ Union Federation.

Together, these groups represent approximately 300,000 members. This meeting marks the first time these specific public official and teacher organizations have convened for a joint workshop under the FKTU umbrella.

What were the primary objectives of the meeting?

The meeting aimed to bridge the gap between different types of public service labor. Ryu Ki-seop, the Secretary General of the FKTU, delivered an encouraging speech during the event to align the goals of the participating federations.

Ryu acknowledged that the three groups operate with different organizational structures and focus on different areas of activity. However, he emphasized that these differences do not preclude a shared mission.

The core objectives identified during the workshop include the pursuit of higher-quality public services and the promotion of the value of labor across the public sector.

“The Federation of Public Officials, the Education Federation, and the Teachers’ Union Federation have different organizational forms and areas of activity, but [they seek] better public services and the value of labor”

Ryu Ki-seop, Secretary General of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions

Why does this joint coordination matter?

This development represents a shift toward unified action among South Korea’s public sector unions. By bringing together 300,000 workers from both general public administration and education, the FKTU is consolidating the voice of state employees.

The coordination is significant because it moves beyond the individual silos of the Education Federation and the Teachers’ Union Federation. It attempts to create a standardized approach to labor value that applies to all public servants, regardless of whether they work in a government office or a classroom.