Date: 27 Dec 96 21:20:48 EST
From: jonathan flanders <72763.2240-AT-CompuServe.COM>
Subject: M-I: S. Korea General Strike


[ Reuters New Media]

     
 Friday December 27 5:26 PM EST

Strikes Spread in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuter) - South Korea's biggest group of labor unions
on Friday threw its 1.2 million-strong membership behind a nationwide
strike until the end of the year, while the government and employers
sought to
 soothe worker anger.

Nurses at 14 hospitals joined strikes that have almost halted production 
of cars and ships and that threaten transport chaos when bus drivers and 
subway staff walk out on Saturday.

More than 15,000 workers raised clenched fists at a rally in Seoul, 
chanting anti-government slogans as they vented their fury against a
labor law passed on Thursday.

The usually moderate Federation of Korean Trade Unions added its muscle 
to a battle over the law that gives employers the right to lay off
workers, adopt flexible work hours and replace strikers.

Originally, it planned a 24-hour action starting from midday Friday to 
noon
 on Saturday.

But at a news conference, its chairman Park In-sang announced the walkout
would now last until next Tuesday, and possibly into the new year 
depending
 on a vote on Monday.

Bus services in major cities would be halted on Saturday, Park said. 
Subway lines in Seoul operated by federation workers would stop on Monday
morning.

But gas, electricity and phone services would not be affected unless the
strikes dragged on "and are carried out to extremes." Efforts would be 
made not to disrupt life for ordinary citizens, Park said.

"If the strikes are extended into the new year that will basically mean 
an indefinite strike," he added.

The federation is the only union umbrella organization recognized by the
government. Its new militancy is an ominous development that raises the
 stakes in some the most serious labor strife since the late 1980s.

Finance Minister Han Seung-soo branded the stoppages unlawful and 
threatened punishment for "all illegal actions." He said flexible work
practices would hone industrial competitiveness and secure jobs.

But Han held out an olive branch by promising a new bill to improve the 
lot
 of workers by such means as increased vocational training.

"We will send a special bill to improve living standards and employment
conditions to the National Assembly as soon as possible," Han told a news
conference after a meeting of ministers to discuss the crisis.

Unions scoffed at the offer.

"It makes no sense," said Choi Dae-yuel, a spokesman for the Federation 
of Korean Trade Unions. "The government has made an impractical offer
that will offer no relief to workers."

The outlawed Korea Confederation of Trade Unions on Thursday called an
indefinite strike by its 500,000 members, quickly idling the nation's
 biggest carmaker, Hyundai Motor, and closing major shipyards.

Hospital workers walked out on Friday, leaving only emergency care.

Seoul subway workers of the outlawed union plan to strike on Saturday, a
 half day for workers, threatening chaos for tens of thousands of 
commuters
 in the capital.

Bus drivers in Seoul put off their strike planned for Saturday because of
difficulties coordinating their action. But bus strikes were threatened 
in five other major cities.

Opposition members of parliament staged an overnight sit-down protest in 
the National Assembly against the government's tactics in ramming through
the labor law and another controversial law boosting the powers of the
once-notorious domestic spy agency.

They vowed to occupy the chamber until Sunday.

The bills were passed at a dawn session of parliament attended only by
 ruling New Korea Party members.


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