S. Korean auto unions plan work stoppage

SEOUL, July 7 (UPI) -- The union of South Korea's largest automaker says it will stage a second strike in less than a week to protest resumption of U.S. beef imports.

About 44,000 union workers at all three Hyundai Motor Corp. in South Korea said they plan to walk off their jobs for four hours Thursday to protest the country's pro-business government policies, Yonhap reported Monday.

Hyundai's union will join a broader action taken by the Korea Metal Workers Union, the umbrella labor group that includes South Korean automakers' unions. The metalworkers union says it will coordinate one-day protests to demand the government renegotiation quarantine terms for U.S. beef imports to address concerns about mad cow disease, Yonhap said.

Union leaders told Yonhap Kia Motors Corp. and SsangYong Motor Co. will participate in Thursday's strikes.

South Korean government official said the planned work stoppages are illegal because they aren't directly related to pay or work conditions, Yonhap said.