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S. Korea police surround cathedral; strike leaders inside
Government turns down offer of TV debate
January 17, 1997
Web posted at: 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT)SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Special police units on Friday encircled a Catholic cathedral in Seoul, where seven fugitive labor leaders have been orchestrating nationwide strikes for more than three weeks.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with President Kim Young-sam, the nation's Roman Catholic cardinal urged the government to "resolve the current situation with dialogue," a presidential spokesman said.
The police force, known as "grabbers" for their years of cracking down during riots and making arrests, closely guarded the area around the landmark Myongdong Cathedral in central Seoul.
Witnesses said police checked cars approaching the cathedral.
The government is seeking the arrest of 16 labor leaders across the nation, including the seven holed up in the church, for leading the wave of labor unrest over a new labor law. Four union leaders have been arrested.
A presidential spokesman said Cardinal Stephen Kim Soo-hwan, leader of the 2.5 million Catholics in South Korea, appealed to President Kim to resolve the situation.
TV debate
News of the heightened crackdown came as a militant labor group reversed itself and accepted a government offer to a televised debate about the strikes. The government, however, rejected debate conditions set by the strikers.
Fugitive labor leader Kwon Young-gil, head of an outlawed labor federation leading the strikes, said his group would participate if he and the ruling party chairman serve as panelists, the government guarantees he won't be arrested and the debate is carried live on TV.
The ruling New Korea Party welcomed the federation's change of heart, but said it could not allow Kwon to participate because he is a fugitive and it also could not guarantee that the debate would be carried live.
"We can't go on TV with persons on a government wanted list. If they send someone else who is free, we'll agree," party spokesman Kim Chul said.
The union denounced the government's rejection and did not make any counterproposals.
The labor unrest was touched off on December 26 when ruling party legislators clandestinely met and passed the labor law, which union leaders say makes it easier for employees to fire workers and extend working hours.
Since then, striking workers have carried out protests across the nation. But on Friday, signs that the strikes are weakening were evident. A rally in Seoul drew only 1,500 protesters.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- S. Korea's ruling party apologizes, but refuses to repeal labor law - January 16, 1997
- Striking workers, police clash in Seoul - January 15, 1997
- S. Korea's 'largest strike in history' fizzles - January 14, 1997
- S. Korea workers, police clash outside cathedral - January 12, 1997
- 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
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