Kim Jin-suk

Kim Jin-suk (; born July 7, 1960) is a South Korean welder and trade union and democracy activist. Her 309-day occupation of Crane 85 at Busan's Youngdo shipyard in 2011 inspired the Hope Bus movement.

Early life Kim grew up on Ganghwa Island. She moved to Busan in 1978 to work in the garment industry, first at hanbok factory, then a men's clothing factory.

Labor activism She was elected as a representative of her labor union in February 1986. After distributing literature critical of the corruption in the union’s executive board, she was interrogated by the police.

2011 crane occupation and reinstatement campaign

Kim garnered international attention for her 309-day occupation of a crane at Youngdo shipyard in 2011. Her occupation was in protest against the plan of Hanjin Heavy Industries (now HJ Shipbuilding & Construction) to lay off 400 shipyard workers, which had set off a wildcat strike. Kim chose to occupy Crane 85 in honor of union leader Kim Ju-ik, who had committed suicide during a 2003 occupation of that crane.

In popular culture The 2016 documentary film The Island of Shadows by Kim Jeongkeun examines Kim Jinsook's crane occupation.