RIOT police yesterday fired tear gas to break up violent protests in Seoul amid signs that the government is seeking a compromise to prevent deepening unrest.
Clashes erupted outside Myongdong Cathedral after police again tried to enter the church grounds to serve arrest warrants for seven union leaders leading strikes against a new labour law. Workers blocked the police, and the warrants were not served.
But later, when hundreds of workers and students fried to move towards the cathedral from nearby streets, riot police bombarded them with teargas. The demonstrators fought back with steel pipes and rocks, shouting "Down with [president] Kim Young Sam."
The street battle came as the ruling party reportedly drew up appeasement measures, including a new Bill to protect workers. Unions claim the law, railroaded through parliament on December 26th, gives employers a free hand to fire workers and extend working hours. It also outlaws the fledgling Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) until 2000.
Hints at compromise on the government side followed the arrival of four delegates from the Brussels based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions on Saturday to express solidarity.
"We can sit down for talks on amending the new law only after the government declares its nullification," the KCTU leader, Mr Kwon Young Kil, said.