hankyoreh

A poster for “10

“I think I’d be able to get a medical checkup.”

“The day would probably come when I didn’t have to choose the food that was 500 won cheaper.”

“If I bought a more powerful computer for my middle school son, he’d probably say I’m an awesome dad.”

These were some of the stories that Koreans submitted to the “10,000 Won Story Contest” organized by the Joint Campaign for a 10,000 Won Minimum Wage and for Abolishing Irregular Workers, which has the support of civic and labor groups such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). On June 13, campaign organizers announced that they would be holding the “10,000 Won Run” event on June 17 in central Seoul, a walkathon for people who support the idea of a 10,000 won (US$8.88) minimum wage.

The 10,000 Won Run will start at 2 pm at the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, located near exit 3 of Hongik University Station, in Seoul’s Mapo District. After face painting and other preliminary events, participants will set off at 3:20 pm toward their destination, the soccer field in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido. After passing Hapjeong Station and crossing the Yanghwa Bridge, the participants will all gather at the nearby Han River Park to form the statement, “10,000 won right now!” The objective is to reach the soccer field in Yeouido by 5 pm. The walkathon will be about 6 km long altogether.

After this, a number of cultural events will be held, including a concert by singer Park Chang-geun and the singing group Dyed in Music. Also in the works is an award ceremony for the 10,000 Won Story Contest. Signing up for the walkathon costs 5,000 won, and the organizers will be handing out T-shirts, fans and water.

“A minimum wage of 10,000 won is the minimum requirement for getting by, and it’s the way to set this backward society in the right direction. By participating in the 10,000 Won Run, we can use our power to achieve the 10,000 won minimum wage as we walk along the Han River,” the campaign organizers said.

By Jeon Jong-hwi, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]