SOUTH KOREA

Wage Limits Proposed: Members of President Roh Tae Woo’s Cabinet are developing proposals designed to discourage “excessive” wage increases this year. The Roh government is concerned that workers are likely to put pressure on politicians in upcoming parliamentary elections by demanding steep wage increases. No date has been set for elections, but the ruling party is expected to call for a vote in late March. Korean wages have nearly tripled in the last five years, partly as a result of democratic reforms that allowed labor unions greater freedoms.