President Promises Crackdown on Unlawful Union Strikes

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions staged a general walkout Wednesday. The KCTU is threatening the Lee administration with its active participation in the candlelight rallies against the import of American beef. Cheong Wa Dae responded that it would strictly enforce law against the organization, since the economy, which has already been reeling from high oil prices and the beef rallies, might sink under the added pressure of illegal labor activities.

KCTU members walked out for about two hours Wednesday, chanting various demands such as an all-out renegotiation of the U.S. beef import deal, cancellation of the plan to privatize state-run companies, control of rising consumer prices, and abandonment of President Lee’s promised construction of a cross-country canal. The Metal Workers’ Union, which constitutes the largest wing of the KCTU, led the rally.

According to the labor ministry, 114 subordinate labor unions including those of Hyundai Motors and Kia mobilized 88,000 members (136,000 workers according to KCTU). More than 90 percent of the sub-unions belonged to the Metal Workers’ Union.

The Hyundai union leadership ordered its members on day and night shifts to walk out for two hours Wednesday. The Kia union also waged a two-hour walkout from 10 a.m. on the same day at three Kia plants.

Hyundai Motors responded to the unlawful activity by announcing a lawsuit against the union leadership, citing 30 billion won in damages from its inability to produce 2,000 vehicles due to the strike. Kia Motors also confirmed that it sustained 12 billion won in damages, being unable to produce 900 vehicles.

Presidential spokesman Lee Dong-gwan commented, “The ongoing illegal rallies and protests are reportedly driving foreign tourists away from Korea. Now, the labor unions are threatening our economy with illegal sabotage. It’s like killing ourselves.”

The liberal Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice held its third mass at Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. According to police, 10,000 people including 5,000 KCTU members attended the mass. After the mass, the priests and the labor union members marched to Jongno without major conflicts with police.

Authorities searched the house of Park Won-seok, who is on the run for organizing illegal protests against the import of American beef. He is one of the top-ranking lieutenants leading the protests. In addition, a person identified only as Kim, 48, was arrested for breaking a revolving door of the Koreana Hotel during a protest against the Chosun Ilbo.