Umbrella union head urges gov't sincerity

The newly elected head of a conservative umbrella labor union said Tuesday the organization will not return to a tripartite committee comprising labor, management and government until the administration shows sincere attitude for dialogue.

Since late December, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions has been boycotting the tripartite commission, a presidential advisory body designed to promote discussions and build consensus among labor, management and government.

"We will come forward and engage in dialogue when the government scraps its one-way communication method and show sincere attitude that it will talk with the labor circle about contentious labor issues," Kim Dong-man said at a press conference.

The FKTU plans to retain this status of not attending the tripartite commission and not engaging in dialogue with the government until the administration sincerely apologizes for its illegal intrusion into the militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Kim added.

A violent clash occurred between riot police and KCTU officials when police officers were deployed to raid the headquarters of the KCTU on Dec. 22. Police were sent to arrest rail union leaders who have been defying summons.

Kim, the 54-year-old veteran activist who formerly served as the KCTU's vice chairman, was tapped as the new chief on Jan. 22. (Yonhap News)