Police Struggle to Control Ssangyong Motor Plant
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Police confronted union members inside the factory of Ssangyong Motor in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, for a third day, Wednesday.
At night, hundreds of unionists clashed with riot police, leaving at least 13 unionists and officers injured.
Earlier, police brought steel containers into the factory in a move to secure bases from which to carry out raids on the union members who have been firing steel nuts and metal from slingshots.
Taking over two buildings previously occupied by protesters, riot police encircled a nearby paint shop used as one of the union's strongholds.
Police have taken control of all buildings other than the paint shop inside which striking workers have access to 33,000 liters of inflammatory material.
"After gaining control of other buildings, we will take action to disperse protesters in the paint shop," a senior police officer on the scene said.
About 2,000 more riot police were dispatched in addition to 3,000 already at the plant.
Nearly 40 ambulances and 290 beds at 19 hospitals in the vicinity have been placed on standby.
Around 1,500 Ssangyong employees arrived at the factory in the morning in a bid to resume production. Minor clashes between employees and family members of the laid-off workers took place at the gate of the plant, but no injuries were reported.
Police helicopters sprayed powered tear gas over the paint shop again on Wednesday. "This was to secure the safety of riot police when they enter the building through its roof," the officer said.
Meanwhile, a union leader said there was still room to resolve the stalemate in a peaceful manner.
"We have looked for a peaceful solution. If the management opens dialogue soon, we will accept the offer," he said.