|
Violent labor protests rock Seoul
No end in sight to nationwide strikes
January 11, 1997
Web posted at: 11:10 a.m. EST (1610 GMT)SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- An eight-lane road in downtown Seoul turned into a battle zone Saturday as striking South Korean workers fought police following a massive rally protesting a new labor law. There also were bloody clashes in four other cities.
"What has started out as what appeared to be a simple labor protest has blown up into a complex issue with political repercussions," the all-news Yonhap TV quoted an unidentified high-ranking government official as saying.
Many onlookers cheered on the protesters, which critics say is a sign of spreading anti-government sentiment.
In the southeastern city of Ulsan, 10,000 strikers rallied but no violence was reported. Protests were also reported in Kwangju, Taegu and Bupyong.
Tear gas inflames crowd
Fighting erupted in the capital when police used tear gas, some of it aimed from armored vehicles, to disperse an estimated 20,000 workers and supporters who were leaving the rally and pouring into the streets.
Thousands of protesters fought back, hurling rocks and other projectiles. As volley after volley of tear gas was fired into the crowd, demonstrators shouted: "Crush (President) Kim Young-Sam!"
Witnesses reported injuries, but there was no official report on the number of wounded. And as nightfall approached, thick smoke -- from tear gas and dozens of bonfires lit by protesters -- blanketed the chaotic scene.
It was the most violent clash among striking workers and the government since December 26, when the disputed labor law was clandestinely rammed through Parliament by ruling party legislators.
Labor leaders have demanded the repeal of the law, which they say makes it easier for companies to fire workers and extend working hours. Among the demonstrators Saturday were a number of white-collar workers, a rarity at strikes in recent years.
Labor leaders avoid arrest
With the protests in their 18th day, both the government and unions have refused to budge. Police have an order to arrest fugitive labor leaders, while unions vowed to expand the protests.
Overnight, police tried but failed to arrest seven union leaders holed up at a cathedral in the heart of Seoul. A short scuffle erupted at Myongdong Cathedral as 20 police tried to push their way through a human barricade of 100 strikers armed with metal pipes, but no one was injured.
Among those police hoped to arrest was Kwon Young-gil, the head of South Korea's largest union -- the Confederation of Korean Trade Unions.
"Unless the new law is repealed, we will not be part of the government's propaganda," Kwon said.
The Confederation of Korean Trade Unions has called on all workers to join the biggest strike in the nation's history for two days starting next Tuesday.
International concern grows
The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, which South Korea joined in December, expressed "concern." Amnesty International criticized the labor law and asked the government not to arrest the labor leaders.
"South Korea was admitted as a member of the OECD after it promised to bring its labor legislation into line with international labor standards," the London-based Amnesty International said in a statement.
"It is clearly failing in its obligation to carry out these reforms."
Related stories:
- S. Korea police to arrest leaders of crippling strike - January 10, 1997
- Korea clamps down on strikers - January 9, 1997
- S. Korean strikers plan partial resumption of work - January 8, 1997
- South Korea tries to squelch labor protest - January 6, 1997
- South Korean strikes ease, but unions vow more protests - December 30, 1996
- South Korean workers stage fourth day of protests - December 29, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser windowExternal sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.