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South Korea's President "Lee(MB).. suggested a crackdown on illegal migrant workers", Korea Times(K.T.) reported today in the article "Zone for Peaceful Protests Planned".. 

Two weeks ago AI demanded that the S.K. Gov't must respect the right to freedom of association of all migrant workers. Today the gov't, respective Ministry of "Justice"(MoJ) gave a "clear" answer:
"The government will escalate its crackdown on illegal foreigners", Korea Herald(K.H.) reported today... Or better said: "We'll increase the repression and prosecution of undocumented migrant workers!"

According to  MoJ the main target will be the part of migrant workers who are struggling for legalization, basic labour rights and the freedom of association in the MTU (read today's K.T. article below!).

The MoJ's plan is to deport - until the end of the year - 30,000 undocumented migrant workers: "Illegal foreigners now number 230,000..  The Justice Ministry said it will reduce that number.. by the end of this year.. to 200,000", K.H. reported.

Well, you can call it - without to exaggerate - a renewed DECLARATION OF WAR against migrant workers in S.K. in general and MTU activists (and their sympathizers) in particular!!

Illegal Foreign Residents Face Tougher Regulations (K. Times)
  
The Ministry of Justice said Thursday it will intensify its investigations into illegal foreign residents in Korea over the next five years, a move to counter their growing numbers and recent moves to seek political support.

The ministry aims to deport at least half them during the period, thus reducing their numbers to below 10 percent of all foreigners here from the current 19.3 percent.

"Recently, illegal residents have attempted to form unions to call for their right to stay and even participated in political activities,'' the ministry said in a statement.

Court rulings in recent years have been supportive of the human rights of illegal residents, affirming their right to form labor unions and receive compensation for injuries sustained at workplaces.

The ministry stated such decisions have conveyed the notion that the law can be taken lightly and illegal residents tolerated. Employers also took advantage of their illegal status to make layoffs easier, it said.

There are 223,229 foreigners overstaying their visa in Korea out of the entire foreign population of 1.16 million, the ministry said. Those whose illegal sojourn here has surpassed four years account for 43 percent, it said...

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/09/117_31655.html