Appendix III: On PSPD What is PSPD ?  "We are going to raise the flag of Solidarity for the society in which everyone can have a voice and people with diligence and honesty may lead life they deserve. ... We, to be the real sovereign of the country, should become watchdogs of the government screening over daily decision-making process it derives its power from .... Let's unite our efforts in bringing a new era where social participation of the people and their human rights are well appreciated and respected" (in PSPD Inaugural Statement, titled "Everyone Speaks of the 21st Century, But No One Does It With Assurance and Hope," 10 September 1999.)  People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD), is a non-profit, non-partisan civic organization dedicated to promoting participatory democracy and securing human rights in Korea. Founded on 10 September 1994, PSPD seeks to prevent the abuse of power by government, the judiciary, and business through advocating social justice, presenting alternative policies, and encouraging social participation of the people. We are on the threshold to a new millennium, yet our society is still under the yoke of old ideas such as anti-communism and regionalism while suffering from immature practices of democracy which manifested through graft and corruption of the politicians. In a transitory period where the past meets with the future, we should not tolerate such ideas and practices any more and need to prepare a road towards the future of hope and progress. The new century demands us to have new visions. We no longer can leave the vision for national and social progress in the hands of the authority alone at the expense of democratic participation of the people. Therefore, it is the goal of the PSPD to do its best in suggesting alternative policies and evaluating the current situations with critical eyes for the purpose of begetting visions for social progress. "The Dream of multitude remains no longer a dream, but a reality." Action Bodies A Watchdog Against Abuse of Power From 1994 on, PSPD has developed multifarious activities in its aim to bring about a just society through democratization in all areas of society. They include various kinds of watch or campaign against authorities and for social goods: Watch Campaign Against National Assembly, Watch Campaign Against the Judiciary, Transparent Society Campaign, Minimum Social Welfare Campaign, Minority Shareholder Rights Campaign, Restoration of Citizens' Rights Campaign, Apartment Residents Community Campaign, and etc. ﹣ Justice Watch  watches the abuse of power by the judiciary compiles and documents files on judicial officials; watches the abuse of power by the prosecution and the court campaigns for judicial reform; publishes bimonthly newsletter "Justice Watch"  ﹣ National Assembly Watch  monitors National Assembly activities - watches arbitrary decision-making of congressmen in enactment of a reform bill; operates a civic monitor group to monitor governance by National Assembly reforms political system lobbies politicians on important issues  - lobbies for public interests; monitors National Assembly activities; watches against illegal and unfair election  ﹣ Transparent Society Campaign  campaigns for elimination of corruption; campaigns to enact the PSPD drafted Anti-Corruption Law; organizes campaigns for disclosure of information; monitors government budgeting process; advocates enactment of the PSPD drafted Anti-Corruption Law in Budgeting; advocates whistleblower protection; advocates for introduction of the Informants Protection Act; counsels informants of various social injustice.  ﹣ Restoration of Citizen's Rights Campaign  provides counseling to citizens; operates a hotline (+82-2-723-8119); files lawsuit for public interests; carries out a lawsuit concerning public interests of those who have been victimized by public affairs; improves the existing legal system including the Administrative Litigation Act, Collective Litigation Act; watches activities; petitions for disclosure of information to the public for civic monitoring  ﹣ Participatory Economy Committee watches big 5 conglomerates(Chaebol); files lawsuits for public interests and campaigns for sabotage; organizes civic campaigns such as Minority Shareholders Campaign; protects the interests of the minority shareholders; monitors Chaebol policies and its restructuring  ﹣ Council for Democracy in Science & Technology  studies science and technology policies of the government and their alternatives; promotes civil participation; sponsors 'Mutual Consent Meeting' as model for civil participation; organizes meetings among teachers specialized in science; endeavors for popularization of science; holds 'Civil Science Class' and a monthly seminar; publishes a monthly magazine 'Civil Science'  ﹣ Social Welfare Committee All citizens have dignity and value as human beings, and they also have rights to pursuit their happiness. The government has an obligation to confirm and ensure basic human rights of its citizens that cannot be violated (Article 10 of the Constitution regarding dignity of man and security of basic human rights).  campaigns for filing lawsuit of public interests and revision and enactment of social welfare law; monitors social welfare institutions in securing the social welfare rights for the citizens; carries out petition for disclosure of information to the public and files lawsuit in claim for compensation when necessary campaigns for appropriate social welfare budget; monitors National Assembly regarding social welfare budget and social welfare bills  ﹣ Apartment Residents Community  opens consulting windows; supports with professional advice; mediates in conflicts between residents; educates apartment residents how to claim their rights; publishes and distributes booklets of model cases and agreements made therein; campaigns for enactment of the Rental House Managements Act; reacts to illegal construction practices  ﹣ Tax Reform Team (more information)  presents research projects and policy alternatives; monitors tax policies; presents reform policy for actualization of equal taxation; organizes civil activities; collects complaints on tax evasion and of unjust tax affairs. Finance Its budget is raised by membership Fees, fund-raising events, projects and internal donation. PSPD keeps its independence in every sense. Since August, 1999, the total amount of monthly membership fees reaches 30 million won each month. Although the amount is not small, it only accounts for no more than 79% of the total budget. The rest is from the profits made in other fund raising activities, for example, Cafe Philosophy Place 'Zelkova'(Neutinamu in Korean), donations, etc. Also people can easily support PSPD via ARS phone-line (each all costs 1,000 won). Membership & Staff  The PSPD is individual membership based, and now has over 6,000 members and subscribers. More than 300 academic and other experts, 100 practicing lawyers, and many activists from various fields lead PSPD in activities ranging from Judicial Watch, Politics Watch, Chaebol Watch, Overseas Korean Enterprise Watch, and Local Administration Watch program to campaigns for welfare reform, citizen's basic rights protection, anti-corruption measures, networking of local community organization, and development of local democracy. It has now 40 full-time paid and some 200 volunteer staff. 上一頁