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The government on Thursday sent a final warning to construction workers who are occupying the headquarters of steelmaker POSCO as part of a strike which started on July 13. Labor Minister Lee Sang-so said the workers¡¯ occupation of the building is illegal and the government will evict them by force unless they voluntarily disband. It was the first time the government has warned of force.
Presidential spokesman Jung Tae-ho later demanded the demonstrating workers ¡°raise the white flag,¡± saying participants in the violent strike and those who masterminded it behind the scenes should be held to account.
The striking construction workers armed with homemade flamethrowers and stones vowed to fight to the end. The Pohang branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions told reporters it had ¡°no choice but to fight to the death¡± if Cheong Wa Dae is intent on breaking up the strike by force. That has led to fears of bloodshed when police move in to quell the strike, which they are expected to do on Friday or Saturday.
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Police guard the POSCO headquarters on Thursday after power was shut down due to the occupation by construction trade unionists.
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The occupation of the POSCO building has halted work at the steelmaker¡¯s forge, causing daily losses of W10 billion, the company says.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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