South Korean railway workers Thursday went on strike to cripple the nation's cargo train service after talks with management over working conditions failed, officials said. The 25,000-strong union of KORAIL, the country's railway monopoly, said about 16,000 members walked out early Thursday as the government warned that it would deal harshly with any breach of law by unionists.
KORAIL said the industrial action paralysed 96 percent of its cargo train service, with only 11 out of 300 daily cargo trains running normally Thursday.
But the passenger train service, including metropolitan subway services, remained unaffected as alternative staff were replacing striking workers, it said. Transport Minister Chung Jong-Hwan issued a statement warning that the government would "deal sternly with any illegal acts" by unionists during the strike, warning against violence, arson and unauthorised union rallies.
Both sides had been in talks over union demands for better wages, improved working conditions and the reinstatement of dismissed striking workers, but reported no progress in negotiations.
Union leaders claimed the strike was inevitable because management unilaterally retreated from talks and nullified the previous agreement on pay and other working conditions. But KORAIL management said the union should be responsible for the inconvenience caused as it already voted to go on strike last month.
The railway service accounts for about seven percent of South Korea's passenger and cargo transportation.