KCTU To Begin General Strike Today

Asking the government to withdraw the arrest orders against the leaders during a press conference held at Myungdong Cathedral yesterday, the Korean confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said, ``About 100,000 workers from 80 workplaces nationwide will join today`s general strike, while another 10,000 at 20 workplaces will boycott work holding union member meetings.``

Dan Byung-Ho, the chairman of the KCTU who is still on the wanted list, said, ``This strike aimed to urge the government to stop suppressing on the KCTU and reckless layoff, and to prepare a protection law for part-time workers. And if the government withdraws the arrest order and allows a meeting with the president, I will present myself to the police station.``

However, the Ministry of Labor (ML) has estimated the scale of the general strike as one with 24,000 workers in 33 workplaces.

An official of the ML forecasted by saying, ``The three textile companies including Ulsan factory of Hyosung Co. and Daewoo Shipbuilding Co. are major workplaces that are expected to join the strike. The scale of the strike will be limited since most unionists will only partially boycott work or hold meetings.``

Especially, the fever of a major general strike from Ulsan region seems to have cooled down since the Hyundai Motor union, the largest labor union under the KCTU organization, has decided to join the strike in a partial strike from which just 400 union leaders are expected to boycott work for four hours.

In addition, the Hanjin Heavy Industry union, which had announced a full-scale strike, decided not to participate in the general strike. The Kia Motor union also decided to determine the scale of the strike after monitoring the situation.

Labor Minister Kim Ho-Jin said yesterday, ``This strike, aimed to ask the government to eliminate the criminal charges made by illegal acts, is a challenge against the constitutionalism. Therefore, the government will react according to the law and principle, but will continuously try to negotiate for an amicable settlement.``

The KCTU planed to hold a rally in 20 sites including Jong-Myo Park, Seoul at 2 pm on 5th to crush the suppression against labor movement and to ask for President Kim Dae-Jung`s resignation. The KCTU also decided to have an anti-government fight on 22nd during which 100,000 union members from all parts of the country will participate.

Kim Joon-Seok kjs359@donga.com