Lee pledges to deal sternly with illegal strike

SAO PAULO, Nov. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak warned
Tuesday that his government will deal sternly with any illegal labor action,
apparently referring to the proposed strike at Korail, South Korea's railway
system.

"We will sternly deal with the illegal strike if (the labor union of) a state-run
company launches an illegal strike at this difficult time," Lee told a group of
South Korean businessmen accompanying him on a state visit to Brazil.
Unionists at Korail have threatened a strike over pay hikes, job security and the
reinstatement of employees sacked for their active involvement in labor
activities.
"I want the labor, management and government to cooperate closely, as the most
important thing that makes our society move in a normal way is to abide by law
and order," Lee said in a luncheon meeting here with the businessmen. "Economic
development is important for us to become an advanced nation, but labor relations
should also enter into the level of an advanced country."
The president pledged that his government will help South Korean firms make
inroads into Latin American markets, saying, "The merits of South Korean firms
are challenging the markets in an aggressive manner."
"I think the companies that went out aggressively at a difficult time can
flourish one or two years later when good times eventually come," he said.
He said South Korea will actively pursue free trade agreements with Peru and
other Latin American states to help boost Korean trade and investment in the
region.
Lee singled out Brazil as a big market with great potential, saying, "Brazil has
been developing the most rapidly in Latin America and (maintains) a growth
potential. It is important to maintain a long-term relationship with Brazil."
While in South America, Lee will attend the annual Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum, in Lima, Peru.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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