S. Korea unionists' protests continue; command asks troops to avoid rallies
By Jim Lea, Osan bureau chief
South Korean labor unionists clogged the streets of major cities
around the country Sunday, and both police and unionists predicted more protests in coming
weeks.
In Seoul, about 8,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade
Unions gathered at the city’s main rail station plaza, demanding better working
conditions, an end to the government’s crackdown on union protests and the release of
union leaders arrested in recent protests.
While the current round of protests are not anti-American in nature,
the U.S. command in South Korea is warning base residents to stay clear of any large
gatherings of Koreans. The command airs warnings several times daily over American Forces
Network radio and television.
A National Police spokesman said there was no significant violence
between police and protesters.
The police spokesman said authorities believe there will be more
union protests in the next several weeks. Earlier this month, the union conglomerate
staged a weeklong nationwide strike that the government declared illegal and violence
erupted in several places.
Some unionists were arrested for hurling firebombs in some of the
earlier protests.
Police have put the chairman of the union conglomerate on a
nationwide wanted list. The man went into hiding after authorities issued an arrest order
for him during the recent strike.
A spokesman for the union confederation said there will be protests
if the union leader is arrested and if people already arrested are not released.
He said the unionists hope the protests will be nonviolent, but
added, “that depends on police. If they are violent, there will be violence.”
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