On Thursday, Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) refused to work during their lunch break. People are waiting at Jongno-gu Office until the employees return.

Moreover, the government has decided to administratively and financially punish those local governments that carry out government directives concerning the strikers in a timid or easy-going manner.

Through a joint statement made by Justice Minister Kim Seung-kyu and Home Affairs Minister Huh Sung-kwan, the government said Thursday, "For government workers, who enjoy guaranteed job protection, retirement age and pensions according to National Public Service Law, to hold the people hostage and conduct an illegal strike is a challenge to both the citizens and the government."

The statement said about the KGEU's demands for the full guarantee of the "three labor rights" (i.e., the right to negotiate, right to unionize, and right to conduct collective action) and the union's claims that it would collect a W10 billion "struggle fund" and conduct a general strike for an indefinite period starting Nov. 15, "The damages could be serious, as it would cause the citizens great harm and inconvenience and bring about social insecurity by damaging official discipline and legal order."

Related to this, the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs called together local governors and mayors, as well as their deputies on Thursday to explain to them the government's basic policy to block the strike by the KGEU, tied to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Korean Peasants League, and ordered them to respond strongly to any collective action on the part of the union.

Despite the strong position taken by the government, the KGEU plans to hold a vote on Friday on whether or not to go on general strike at each of the union's 14 headquarters nationwide. If a majority of union members vote in favor of action, it would launch a general strike.

(Choi Bo-shik, congchi@chosun.com )