Lee calls for `sound` labor-management relations, more jobs

SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday called for a more
productive and sound relationship between labor and management, noting that often
violent clashes between the sides undermines the country's image and could delay
a complete recovery of the economy.
"It is a relief that the incident at Ssangyong Motor ended with no serious
casualties, but we suffered a great deal of damage to our national image before
foreign investors," the president told a Cabinet meeting, according to the
presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
Nearly 1,000 workers subject to layoffs occupied the automobile company's
assembly factory in Pyeongtaek, 40 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 21. The
violent standoff ended last Sunday after the striking workers reached a deal with
management whereby only about half of the workers would be laid off.
Nearly 100 participants in the protests have been detained for firing heavy nuts
and bolts with slingshots and air guns, injuring dozens of company officials and
police officers. A local court also issued arrest warrants for an additional 38
people Tuesday.
President Lee said he felt ashamed, saying there is no other country in the world
where labor violence is witnessed on a daily basis.
"Labor and business circles, as well as the government, must not let this
incident pass as a one-time event, but work to bring labor-management relations
to international standards," he was quoted as saying.
The president noted the economy may now be recovering, though slowly, but said
additional and continued efforts were still needed.
"We are still not seeing an expansion of employment or business investments while
domestic consumption has a long way to go," he said.
"We must not slack off in our efforts to overcome all of these three problems."
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)