Arrest of 24 Strike Leaders Began

Government started arresting strike leaders on 3rd as Korea Electric Power industry (KEIPU) strike reached its seventh day and company side also started proceedings for dismissal of leaders, therefore, extreme conflict is ensuing.

Negotiations between company and labor union of KEPIU were broken surrounding withdrawal of sale and hiring back fired people at Royal Hotel, located in Myoung Dong, Jung-Gu, Seoul on 2nd at noon.

Company and labor union were not able to restart negotiations even till 3rd afternoon.

Prior to this, ministers meeting regarding labor, which was presided by Lee Han Dong,

Prime minister, on 2nd decided to arrest strike leaders in order to bring an end to the strike.

Arrest warrants of 24 leaders were issued by court and public prosecutor composed exclusive department for arrest.

Also, it is reported that prosecutors and police are aggressively discussing on deputing police to Myeong Dong Catholic Cathedral in Seoul, where many strike leaders are demonstrating besides chairman of KEPIU.

Company administration will have personnel committee meeting on 4th and will dismiss 52 people who did not listen to the order of return to work as well as have a plan for punishing the rest who didn`t return to work.

Also company side affirmed its strong standpoint such as advertising, announcement for recruitment of new employees `OOO` in daily newspapers.

On the other hand, 6 labor unions of Korea Electric Power company like Korea Plant Service and Engineering and labor union of KEIPU had a press conference at Myeong Dong Catholic Cathedral on 3rd and resisted, “if government deputes police, 7 labor unions will start joint strike simultaneously and 4 labor unions under Korea trade union will change their superior group to Korea Confederation of Trade Union”

Jin Lee leej@donga.com