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Today's Korea Herald wrote following (oops~ you can believe it or not..):

Labor toughens stance against Lee

A hard-line union group is stepping up its offensive against President-elect Lee Myung-bak after it was recently humiliated by his abrupt cancellation of a meeting he had scheduled with them.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on Wednesday resumed its activities to support striking unionists at E. Land Group, and reiterated its threat to stage a massive strike over the issue of irregular workers, possibly in the first half of this year.

Its leaders decided to reject Lee's invitation to his inauguration on Feb. 25. They also demanded that a special investigation team summon the president-elect over his alleged involvement in a financial fraud case.

"Six members, including KCTU president Lee Suk-haeng, were invited to the ceremony, but we have decided not to take part, after discussing the matter, and have already reported our decision to the Labor Ministry," said Woo Moon-sook, the spokeswoman of the major labor umbrella group.

This offensive came after Lee indefinitely delayed his planned visit to KCTU's headquarters, which had been scheduled for Tuesday. He abruptly cancelled, citing the KCTU chief's refusal to be questioned by the police regarding his involvement in illegal protests.

The president-elect said he will "not meet anyone or any organization that does not abide by law and order."

Instead, he visited GM Daewoo, which has been involved in no labor strikes over the past five years.

"The most important quality is for the company to trust their employees," said Lee during his visit to the automobile plant.

"The economy isn't looking so bright, but the only way to overcome such a situation is for the management and its labor union to become a whole, to boost the company's competitiveness together ... I hope the company continues to keep its record of no strikes in the future."

President-elect Lee has stressed the importance of law and order, and has emphasized that he will not tolerate illegal and violent strikes or labor activities focused on political issues.

Expecting tougher labor policies from the new government, the KCTU has repeatedly threatened to stage a general strike, as in mobilizing its members in the electricity, gas and transportation workers.

The group has dispatched its members to support E. Land unionists, to stage rallies and to boycott campaigns in front of the retail giant's stores through Sunday.

"We will proceed with the demonstrations until the Lunar New Year holiday, since the government is showing no willingness to protect the laid-off workers at E. Land."

The company fired 900 temporary workers before the protection law concerning irregular workers took full effect last July 1.

Calling on the management to retract its massive dismissal of the contract workers, unionized employees participated in major illegal sit-ins at E.Land's Homever and New Core stores last year.

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/02/01/200802010058.asp