The unionists have also been fighting for improved working conditions, including a reduction in the workweek from five-and-a-half days to five days.

According to an April 3 Financial Times article, "Terms of the agreement that ended the strike remain sketchy and labour leaders said it could be resumed if a more formal deal was not struck."

The government backed down from their plan to fire the 4,000 striking power workers, reported the Financial Times, but vowed to punish some of the unionists who led the walkout.

The government said that the union officials voiced their acceptance of the fact that privatization of key state-owned industries will proceed. "Any further talks between the government and unions will not include any negotiation about privatization," stated a spokesperson for the south Korean labor ministry.

In another development, Lim Dong Won, the south Korean presidential envoy, announced upon returning from a four-day visit to north Korea that the two governments had agreed to resume cross-border visits by families members. He described the new agreement coming out of these discussions with the north Korean leaders as one that would "fully revive the North-South rapprochement."

In a June 2000 summit meeting in Pyongyang, the north Korean capital, President Kim Dae Jung of south Korea and north Korean leader Kim Jong Il agreed to the reconnection of their national railroads, as well as other forms of economic cooperation.

The south Korean envoy also stated that north Korean officials had agreed to resume dialogue with the U.S. government following months of growing tensions after President George Bush labeled north Korea one of the three "axis of evil" states and one of seven countries the U.S. rulers are targeting for possible use of nuclear weapons.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home