Truckers Strike Paralyzes South Korean Ports

Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - Key South Korean ports were paralyzed Thursday after truckers blocked all entries and exits to kick off their strike to protest the rising cost of petroleum that has reduced their profits.

At least 87 percent of all containers in Busan, South Korea's largest port city, were locked down Thursday. Busan's seven ports handle 76 percent of all South Korea's shipping.

The strike was called by the Korea Cargo Transport Workers Union who accused the government of inadequately dealing with the rising price of crude oil. It urged all members to march the streets Friday to dramatize their discontent.

On Sunday, the government announced it will earmark at least $9.77 billion in the next two years as part of a comprehensive policy package to assist its citizens mitigate the effects of rising fuel cost.

The 13,000-strong union on Monday unanimously approved launching a strike.

Union leader Kim Dal-shik was quoted by Xinhuanet as saying,"We plan to hold further negotiations with the government and cargo owners until Thursday, and if the negotiations fail, it will engage in industrial action the next day."

Strikers want the government to lower the cost of diesel, increase hauling fees and introduce a standard price system for truckers.