Lee raps militant labor group for rejecting dialogue

SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak expressed regret Monday over a
militant labor group's refusal of dialogue, especially ahead of a G-20 economic
summit to be held in Seoul next month.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of South Korea's largest
umbrella labor groups, skipped Lee's rare meeting with representatives from labor
circles, saying no serious dialogue is anticipated.
The progressive association has been protesting the Lee administration's labor
policy and announced a plan to hold a series of street rallies in the coming
weeks against the G-20 forum and what it claims is the government's oppression of
labor movements.
"I wish the KCTU participated (in today's meeting)," Lee said at the beginning of
the luncheon meeting intended to drum up support for the government's efforts to
expand employment and the successful hosting of the Nov. 11-12 G-20 summit.
"While even South and North Korea have dialogue with each other, it is not
desirable for the KCTU of South Korea to refuse dialogue," Lee said. He added
that consultations on state affairs are necessary despite differences over other
issues.
On the other hand, he said he appreciated the role of another major labor group,
the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, in creating jobs.
The KCTU said it decided not to join the meeting with Lee as it found no reason
to do so at a time when "the government's extreme oppression of labor continues
and serious dialogue is not expected at the meeting."