THE chairman of South Korea's ruling party made a dramatic visit yesterday to a Seoul cathedral where union leaders are sheltering from arrest as they prepare for what they hope will be the biggest strike in the state's history.
Plans for all out stoppages starting today appeared to be wavering, with union activists confessing that workers were losing their appetite for confrontation.
However, a brief clash at Myongdong Cathedral between riot police and 1,500 protesters led by priests and nuns showed feeling was still running high over a controversial new labour law.
Witnesses said police blocked the protesters as they tried to march out of the cathedral grounds into the central shopping district.
They said scores of priests pressed against police shields in a confrontation that lasted 20 minutes before the marchers turned back.
Unions have threatened the biggest ever strike today and tomorrow over the law, which gives employers the right to lay off workers and replace strikers.
Continuing a charm offensive which has stolen the thunder of militant union leaders, the New Korea Party leader, Mr Lee Hong Koo, sought a meeting with activists. But he was shoved aside.