1 Killed as South Korean Workers, Police Clash

One worker was killed and 20 others were injured in a clash between police and about 3,000 employees of South Korea’s second-largest shipbuilding company on a southern island, authorities said Saturday.

The clash, in which workers tossed homemade fire bombs and rocks and police fired tear-gas canisters, occurred on Koje Island, about 210 miles southeast of Seoul.

Lee Suk Kyu, 21, who was injured when riot police fired about 100 tear-gas bombs, died later at a hospital, news reports said. One report said Lee died when fragments of a tear-gas bomb punctured one of his lungs.

“Proper measures will be taken when an autopsy determines the exact cause of his death,” National Police Chief Kwon Bok Kyong said.

Authorities said 18 workers were arrested.

About 3,000 workers of the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Heavy Machinery Co. on Koje Island staged violent street demonstrations overnight Friday, then gathered again Saturday afternoon and seized the main building of the Okpo Hotel, where company executives were staying.

The workers, who had been staging protests for the past 15 days to win steep wage increases, demanded a meeting with top company officials and became violent when their demand was not met, news reports said.

Bus Drivers Strike

South Korea has experienced serious labor unrest since President Chun Doo Hwan promised sweeping democratic reforms July 1. The pledge came after nearly three weeks of violent anti-government protests across the country.

In Seoul, drivers at 16 bus companies struck Saturday, while employees of 73 other bus companies operated normally, police said. The striking drivers said they were angry at the 11% wage increase agreed upon by union leaders and employers.

Union leaders had been demanding 28.4% pay raises but decided to accept an average 11% increase and improved fringe benefits, including greater scholarship funds for the dependents of union members.

Authorities used about 700 buses owned by government agencies and police to help people get to work from areas hit hard by the strike.

A subway system starting in a western sector of the city was carrying twice as many passengers as on an average day, city officials said. Most South Koreans work on Saturdays.

About 1,000 workers of Korea Air Terminal Service Co. began a demonstration at Seoul’s Kimpo Airport, demanding a 50% wage increase and reorganization of their union leadership, which they charged is pro-management.

President Chun called Friday for an end to the labor turmoil, which he said threatens South Korea’s booming economy.

“Although we are pursuing democratic development, it . . . is nothing but a house of cards if the standard of living deteriorates,” he told a news conference.

The Labor Ministry said 511 labor disputes were unresolved Saturday, compared with 498 the day before. Protests have crippled the car-making, electronics, mining and shipbuilding industries.