The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held 2 rounds of direct elections between 3~9 December 2014 and 17~23 December 2014, electing Mr. Sang-gyn Han as new President. Although candidate No. 4, Jae-hwan Jeon, received the most votes (34.2%) in the first round, the failure for any candidate to secure a majority meant that a runoff vote was required (against candidate No. 2, Sang-gyun Han).
A total of 373,742 of the current 667,752 members voted in this presidential election, a turnout rate of 55.9%. Candidate Jae-hwan Jeon, who was supported by the major KCTU factions, received the most votes in the fist round, although less than expected. However, candidate Sang-gyun Han (former leader of the Ssangyong Motors branch) received a higher number of votes than expected due to the strength of recent field strikes.
[Table 1] Election Results (Runoff)
|
Total number of KCTU members
|
Ballots cast
|
(No. 2)
Sang-gyun Han
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(No. 4)
Jae-hwan Jeon
|
|
667,752
|
373,742
|
182,249
(51.62%)
(51.62%)
|
170,801
(43.38%)
|
[Table 2] Biographies of new KCTU leadership
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Biography
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Faction(s)
|
|
|
Mr.
Sang-gyun Han
(president-elect)
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․ Born in 1962
․ Started career in Ssangyong Motors in 1985 (dismissed in 2009)
․ Served as Chair of ‘Ssangyong Motors trade union establishment committee’ (1987)
․ Served as President the Ssangyong Motors trade union (2009)
․ Put into custody for leading strikes against Ssangyong Motors’ layoff (2009)
|
Field Faction
(PD-faction)
|
|
Mr. Jong-jin Choi
(First vice president-elect)
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․ Born in1958
․ Chair of the KCTU Seoul Region Council (2009)
․ Served as a representative of Seoul Subway Workers’ Union (2013)
|
Field Faction
(PD-faction)
|
|
Ms. Young-ju Lee
(General secretary-elect)
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․ Born in1965
․ Served as First vice president of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) Seoul Regional Council (2007)
․ Served as First vice president of the KTU (2014)
|
Field Faction
(PD-faction)
|