Police mobilized to break up strike at key auto parts maker

ASAN, South Korea, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of riot police raided a key South Korean auto parts factory Tuesday to break up a sit-in by striking workers as the weeklong walkout has crippled the operations of Hyundai and other local automakers and their parts suppliers.
About 3,100 riot police were sent to Yoosung Enterprise Co.'s factory in Asan, about 90 kilometers southwest of Seoul, where about 500 striking workers have been staging a sit-in since Wednesday last week.
Police were dispersing the protesters, and no major clashes were reported.
The workers went on strike after 11 rounds of wage negotiations broke down, causing massive damage to the five local automakers, including industry leader Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp., as Yoosung supplies some 70 percent of all engine parts needed by the car makers.
Yoosung specializes in piston rings, cylinder liners and other car engine components.



With concerns mounting over a prolonged strike, police have secured warrants to arrest two union leaders and raid their offices to look into possible charges against those involved in the strike.
"Although the management closed the factory, the union leaders mobilized union members to illegally occupy the factory and barred other employees from entering their offices," an official at the Asan Police Station said. "Although they went through some procedures, blocking office workers from entering the company and occupying the assembly line fall under acts of obstruction of business."
ejkim@yna.co.kr