SKoreans in thousands strike over US beef
Updated
Tens of thousands of South Koreans are staging work stoppages in protest against US beef imports.
The militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) says 136,000 people are taking part in the partial strikes from Wednesday.
It says these include 44,000 at the largest automaker Hyundai Motor and 29,000 at its affiliate Kia Motors.
The labour ministry says 90,000 workers nationwide are taking part.
A government spokesman says President Lee Myung-Bak and top aides have described the strike as illegal and politically-motivated.
But KCTU president, Lee Suk-Haeng, says members have every right to protect their health.
"We also plan to stage a full-scale consumers' boycott campaign against US beef," he said.
Religious leaders have now joined weeks of street protests as President Lee strives to end the rallies, which were sparked by fears of mad cow disease but are now increasingly driven by liberal opponents of his new conservative government.
The government is pushing ahead with the distribution of US beef, saying extra negotiations with Washington this month fully addressed public fears over mad cow disease.
Seoul agreed in April to resume the US beef imports, which were halted in 2003 after a US mad cow case, so it can push ahead with a wider trade deal.
