Prosecutors Order the Arrest of Strike Leaders

The Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office on April 19 ordered all of its district offices to arrest union leaders of the Seoul Subway Corporation as quickly as possible. Union leaders carried out their strike early this morning, and the Prosecutor's office stipulated that the illegal strike was an affront to the law and the general public.
The Prosecutor's Office stated, 'There is no livelihood nor economic recovery without social stability, so we decided to directly confront the illegal strike of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.'
Warrants were issued for 19 members of the Seoul Subway Union.
Moreover, it is deciding whether to indict a further 85 union staff members of the union that the Seoul Metropolitan Government has accused of illegal actions.
A source from the Prosecutor's Office asserted on April 19, 'Because the Seoul Subway Corporation requested arbitration from the Central Labor Committee, it is illegal for the union to engage in a strike before the deadline, which is in 15 days.'
The majority of the subway workers union went on strike as of the morning of April 19. Non-union members, management, and support staff filled in so subway service was not interrupted.
Hwashik Bong : trojans@joongang.co.kr