At a press conference in central Seoul, the Korean Railway Workers' Union said the strike would begin at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10 unless demands for better working conditions including changes to the promotion system and the hiring of more safety personnel are fulfilled.
The decision to strike came after nearly 80 percent of union members voted in favor of collective action last week. The union argued that the current promotion system is "unfair," saying it excludes frontline workers, and warned that staff shortages are undermining railway safety.
The planned strike could disrupt train services including KTX bullet trains, affecting commuters and year-end holiday travelers as trains are expected to run less frequently than usual, potentially leading to longer waits and heavier crowding.
The union also plans to hold a rally at Seoul Station on Saturday, followed by separate regional nighttime rallies over a two-week period beginning Nov. 23, ahead of the strike.
Operator KORAIL said it is preparing emergency transport measures to minimize inconvenience to passengers and will continue negotiating with the union to prevent the strike. Passengers who have already booked tickets are advised to check KORAIL's website and mobile app for service updates.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
