[Via... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Downwithcapitalism <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 2:15 AM Subject: [downwithcapitalism] Labor unrest in S. Korea Korea Herald. 3 June 2001. Seoul police pledge to take stern action against violent labor union protesters. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) is set to round up all violent protesters involved in Saturday's rally in downtown Seoul organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and deal with them in strict accordance with the law, officials said yesterday. As part of the roundup, officials said they plan to arrest KCTU chairman Dan Byung-ho and another ranking official for leading the rally, which they regarded as both violent and illegal. According to SMPA, members of the KCTU, one of the nation's two umbrella labor groups, caused major traffic delays in downtown Seoul along the Mapo and Seosomun areas for more than two hours in a march that was peppered by violence and arson. In the course of the march, the unionists threw stones and thousands of eggs at the National Police Agency (NPA) building in Migeun-dong. Unionists called for the resignation of NPA Commissioner General Lee Moo-young over the brutal crackdown by police on striking Daewoo Motor unionists in Incheon last month. Police said a group of protesters clashed with police forces as they tried for about 30 minutes to enter the NPA building. At least five policemen were injured during the clash. Some of the unionists also set fire to an 8-meter sign in front of the building when their attempts to enter the building failed, they said. Police also alleged that a police officer, identified only by his family name of Yum, is being treated at a hospital after being assaulted by about 20 protesters. The violent march followed a rally at Seoul Station, in which about 10,000 members of the KCTU called for a prompt parliamentary passage of reform and economic bills, an improvement in the status of irregular workers, a halt to corporate restructuring, shorter working hours and extended maternity leave. The participants also renewed their vow to stage a general strike on June 12 over their demands. * * * * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
