Korea's Truckers' Union walked out for 5days

Korea's unionized truck drivers went on strike Dec.1, demanding improved freight-operating systems and better labor conditions.

The industrial action by the Korea Cargo Transport Workers Union, which represents about 1,000 truck drivers, follows a 72.9 percent vote in favor of a nationwide strike by its members earlier this month.

The union is linked to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the smaller of the nation's two major umbrella labor groups.

Authorities were keeping a close eye on developments in major cities such as Seoul and the southern port city of Busan, due to fears that the union may reenact a similarly-scaled walkout in 2003, when drivers blocked major ports and highways to heavily disrupt exports.

?hile the government and the ruling party proposed measures last year to improve working conditions, the National Assembly hasn't come up with any follow-up actions,?the union said in a statement on Nov.30.

Unionized truck drivers returned to work Dec. 5 ending their five-day strike that disrupted export shipments at major ports.

The decision was made as lawmakers agreed in a National Assembly committee to positively address a set of labor bills on improving the cargo fee system and their legal rights in February.