Police Storm Lotte Hotel in SeoulAround 3,000 riot police stormed the Lotte Hotel Seoul early Thursday morning and arrested 1,088 unionized workers who were occupying a banquet hall on the 37th floor and the second floor Crystal Hall. Six police and thirty unionists were hurt during the action as workers barricaded themselves in the respective halls and resisted using violence and discharging fire extinguishers. Water containers for use with high pressure fire hoses were ruptured during clashes and cascaded down from the roof through the hotel, paralyzing services and damging electrical equipment.Some 400 foreign guests were staying at the hotel and 100 had to be evacuated prior to the police action at 4:20am. Most guest are extremely angry at the "chaotic situation." The unionists had been occupying the halls for nearly ten days demanding improved conditions. Some observers note that police action seemed to emanate from remarks made by the president calling for the rule of law to be enforced amid growing acts of group selfishness and illegal action. Others note that the government was perhaps frustrated by the doctors' strike and so decided to clamp down on illegal action rather than negotiate, noting that union members at financial institutes are set to strike in July. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a news conference at Myongdong Cathedral and said the government was using unnecessary violence to resolve conflict using the excuse of "group selfishness and egoism." Police are requesting detention warrants for all who used violence including union leader Chung Ju-ok. |
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