S. Korea braces for truckers' strike

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- The government said Wednesday it has taken emergency
steps to minimize disruptions as thousands of unionized truckers were set to
strike for the reinstatement of fired workers and other demands.

The Korean Cargo Workers' Union, which claims about 16,000 members, said it plans
to launch a nationwide strike later in the day after talks with their top client,
Korea Express Co., broke down.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, which oversees the
transportation industry, said it has mobilized military trucks and scheduled more
cargo rail services to transport goods.
"The industrial action has no justification," said an official at the ministry.
Government fuel subsidies will not be given to those who participate in the
strike, the ministry added.
The union has staged strikes in the past demanding higher fuel subsidies and
transportation rates. The stoppages disrupted operations at seaports and cost
millions of dollars in export losses.
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