Thousands of workers march on Seoul

The workers have threatened strikes this week

SEOUL, North Korea -- About 10,000 South Korean workers have marched to central Seoul, demanding job security, shorter working hours and a halt to privatizing state-run companies, which they fear will spark mass layoffs.

A number of Korea's industrial unions took part in Sunday's protest, including state-run railway, gas and power corporations, with the demonstrators threatening widespread strikes from Monday unless their demands were met.

"Unless the government stops the privatization of the public companies, we will proceed with the planned general strikes," Sohn Nark-koo, spokesman for the 500,000-member Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), said in a statement.

The demonstrators, distributing leaflets and chanting slogans, marched toward Yoido in the capital Seoul, where the parliament is located, a Reuters photographer said.

"President Kim Dae-jung promised shorter working hours in his presidential campaign," a demonstrator chanted. "The government must keep its word. It's not what negotiable."

The government has warned of stern action if the unionized workers cripple public services.

It has sought to restructure debt-ridden state companies through privatization, but unions fear mass layoffs.

Ease reform

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Seoul has come under increasing pressure to ease its reforms drive, started in the wake of the 1997-98 Asian crisis, as President Kim's ruling party faces a presidential election in December.

Kim, whose administration marks its fourth anniversary on Monday, faces record low approval ratings partly due to the stalled rapprochement with North Korea and economic slowdown. He has less than 10 months to go before the election, in which he is legally barred from running.

The KCTU, the second-biggest labor group, said some 100,000 workers at 140 firms, including Hyundai Motor Co, would also walk out from Tuesday unless legislators revise labor laws to ensure a five-day work week and flexible shifts.

The militant labor umbrella group includes unions in most major manufacturing sectors, including autos and shipbuilding.

Last-ditch talks

Power monopoly Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) said it would meet labor union leaders in a bid to avert the strike on Monday.

"The government and the management are to meet with labor unions to solve problems," a KEPCO spokesman told Reuters.

"We also put replacement workers on alert in case the talks break down."

Two-day talks between union leaders and the management of the Korea National Railroad Corp ended without a result on Sunday.

"Unless the government and management change their attitude and accept our demands, we have no choice but to go on strike at 4 a.m. on Monday," the union said on its Web site.

This deadline translates to 1900 GMT on Sunday.