Police crackdown ends strike at key auto parts maker

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with latest development) ASAN, South Korea, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Police dispersed protesters on Tuesday and ended a nearly one-week sit-in by strikers at a key South Korean auto parts maker, which had disrupted productions of local automakers. About 3,100 riot police were sent to Yoosung Enterprise Co.'s factory in Asan, about 90 kilometers southwest of Seoul, where some 500 strikers had been staging a sit-in since Wednesday of last week. Police dispersed 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 had 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." Officials at the auto parts maker said the company expects to resume the operation of the factory as early as late Tuesday night and restart production during the following morning. "By noon tomorrow, we will be able to deliver piston rings to Hyundai factory in Ulsan," said Kang Yong-gu, a manager at Yoosung Enterprise.