South Korean Police Close In on Striking Autoworkers

South Korean riot police clash with workers on strike at Ssangyong Motor on Wednesday (August 5). The protest and occupation of company buildings has been ongoing for more than two months.
Around 600 laid-off workers have occupied the main factory of Ssangyong Motor for over 70 days.

South Korean police descended on the autoworkers in full riot gear on Wednesday the 5th in an operation to break up a sit-in by unionists demanding to keep their jobs.

Police commandos dropped tear gas bombs from helicopters and fired water cannons at the protesters before descending onto the roofs at the companys assembly plant in Pyeongtaek.

Water supplies to the buildings in which the workers have blockaded themselves have been cut off.

Most of the plant's facilities are now under police control except the main paint warehouse.

Strikers are blockading the warehouse doors armed with blowtorches.

Ssangyong's union has demanded government funds to rescue the troubled motor company, but the government has rejected the proposal.

Analysts say that worries about the company's liquidation outweigh earlier hopes it may be revived.

The Seoul Central District Court has ordered Ssangyong to draw up a survival plan by mid-September.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• South Korea
• Riot police
• Ssangyong Motor
• Protest
• Economy
• Jobs
• Unemployment

[whatismyiddoyouknow]

@by2004 Not expecting a reply since your comment was written two years ago, but right or wrong, expressing their own voice is an important part of democratic country.

[shiron236]

@by2004 Wut?

[bizflowjames]

that's the guy who koreans willingly vote through democratic process..right?

[Smulan45]

by2004

Wake up my friend.

Things like this is going on around the whole world.

It´s the economy. It´s the globalisation.

[sniperx29x]

Lee Myung-bak authoritarian administration is to blame.

[by2004]

korean should learn to leave their emotions at the door. too hot blooded. violence does no one any good. when will they learn? shame on them!!!