Korail dismisses 2,244 workers

SEOUL, South Korea - Authorities took a harder line Friday against striking South Korean railway workers even as numbers taking part in the illegal walkout decreased under threat of dismissal from work and amid police detentions. Korea Railroad Corp., which runs the country's nationwide passenger and freight network, said that the number of strikers had fallen by 43 percent since the walkout for higher wages, better working conditions and the rehiring of laid-off workers began early Wednesday. The strike by unionized workers at the company, known as Korail, has severely curtailed nationwide passenger and freight service and caused some commuter inconvenience, such as delays and overcrowding on subways, in Seoul, the capital, particularly on Thursday. On Friday, the commuting situation showed some improvement with trains being less crowded, partially because people were choosing other means of travel to work and school such as taxis and buses after dealing with crowding and delays the previous day, Yonhap news agency reported. As of midday Friday, a total of 9,383 members of the company's 25,510 strong union remained on strike, down from a peak of 16,388 on the first day. The numbers began to improve Thursday after the company threatened to punish workers who didn't return. The company also said it had temporarily dismissed 2,244 workers, including 387 holding leadership positions in the union. Korail spokesman Hong Jong-hwan said that the workers will be turned over to a disciplinary committee to decide the level of punishment, which could include permanent dismissal. The government declared the strike illegal just hours before it began, invoking a special power to stop labor unrest in industries deemed of critical economic and social importance. Police have issued arrest warrants for a total of 11 union leaders, though none have been apprehended. Separately, police spokesman Yoo Jae-sun said that a total of 97 strikers had been detained ahead of their expected arrest on charges of obstructing the railway's operations. A total of 44.6 percent of train services, including high-speed KTX trains, regular long-distance service, freight trains and subways from suburban areas linked with Seoul's network were operating, up from 35.4 percent Thursday, though little changed from Thursday. Korail spokesman Lee Jae-wook said dramatic improvements in service would be unlikely as it is taking time for the workers who have given up on the strike to actually get back on duty. The company operates South Korea's nationwide passenger and freight rail network and some outlying sections of Seoul's subway network that extends into adjacent cities. A total of 2.6 million people ride Korail trains each day. To help operate trains, Korail was using nonunion workers, unionized workers who declined to strike and military personnel. The government has grown increasingly intolerant of strikes in the transportation sector and reserves the right to halt walkouts in industries deemed of critical importance. Last year it twice invoked special powers to force an end to strikes by unionized pilots at Asiana Airlines Inc. and Korean Air Co., citing damage to the national economy. -AP