- विज्ञापन -
Seoul: Train and subway services in South Korea faced delays and cancellations on Thursday as unionized employees of the national railway operator initiated an indefinite general strike.
Subway Lines 1, 3, and 4 in the Seoul area, along with KTX high-speed trains and regular services, experienced interruptions as Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) workers demanded higher wages and increased hiring. This marks the first strike since September 2023, according to Yonhap news agency.
At Seoul Station, announcements indicated that the 8:12 a.m. and 8:26 a.m. trains to Busan were cancelled. KTX-Sancheon trains from Masan and Pohang were delayed by six minutes each.
During the morning rush hour, Subway Line 1 platforms were overcrowded with commuters who missed previous trains due to their full capacity. An office worker named Kim, at Bupyeong Station in Incheon, expressed frustration over the delays, stating he had no alternative means to reach work.
Another passenger, Park, who boarded at Yatap Station in Seongnam, shared his concern about the strike but noted that his commute was relatively smooth.
A KORAIL representative mentioned that some delays during the rush hour were typical and not directly linked to the strike. The company is operating in emergency transport mode, utilizing all available staff and resources to mitigate disruptions.
Additionally, the government plans to establish a 24-hour joint transportation task force with relevant agencies and local authorities until the strike concludes. Although KORAIL and the union were unable to reach an agreement in last-minute negotiations, the union remains open to further discussions if management alters its approach.
