[Editorial] Gov't Wrong to Intervene in Asiana Strike

It inappropriate for the government to invoke its right to intervene in the Asiana Airlines pilots strike. Labor Minister Kim Dae Hwan, Commerce, Industry, and Energy Minister Lee Hee Beom, and Construction and Transportation Minister Choo Byung Jik held a "related ministers' meeting" in which they got the ball rolling on the procedures for government intervention should the pilots' union and Asiana fail to figure things out for themselves.

The law strictly limits the government's right to intervene to "large disputes at enterprises that concern the public interest and when there is a danger of hurting the national economy or endanger the people in their daily lives." It limits basic labor rights, which is why even military governments were careful about using that authority, and why it has only been invoked twice.

It makes no sense that the "Participatory Government" has decided to intervene. You have to ask whether the strike at Asiana substantially hurts the economy or threatens to disrupt the daily lives of the people. The government explains its decision by talking about the fatigue pilots will face, the loss of international confidence in Korea, and problems with exports should the strike last long. However, the labor movement notes that only 8 to 9 percent of international flights are being canceled, and any problems with shipping can be solved using other methods. Labor leaders claim the government is exaggerating the economic damage.

Even more a problem is how the government and ruling party have been moving to restrict the basic labor rights of pilots, starting from when the strike began. When the government takes a hard-line tone it strengthens the employer's position in the negotiations. Indeed, Asiana has been noncommittal about finding compromise ever since the government's move to intervene became apparent. In other words, the government's behavior hurt the atmosphere that might have led to an agreement. It is time to seriously consider whether from the very start the government's negative view of the strike has hurt the chances of a compromise. The government's intervention is a major step in the wrong direction.

The Hankyoreh, 10 August 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]