South Korean Workers Begin Nationwide Strike
Tens of thousands of workers, including thousands at South Korea’s two airlines, walked off their jobs as they pushed for better pay.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, a militant nationwide labor umbrella group which has been responsible for many violent protests, estimated that 55,000 workers at 125 workplaces, including pilots at Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, joined the strike.
The nationwide strike could escalate with 18 major hospital unions in Seoul and elsewhere vowing to walk off their jobs on Wednesday.
The government ruled the strike illegal and promised stern legal action against strike leaders. Officials said the walkout was called without going through mandatory arbitration by a neutral mediation body.
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