SEOUL, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A massive protest of about 40,000 South Korean union members and sympathizers in Seoul took a violent turn Sunday.
Demonstrators attacked riot police with fire bombs and metal pipes injuring at least 12 people, including police officers, the BBC reported.
The protest was against labor laws that say union leaders can be sued for lost production during strikes.
Three union leaders have committed suicide over the laws, the BBC said.
Some of the protesters wore mourning dress and marched with pictures of dead union leaders. Others waved red and white flags and banners, including one that read, "No more killing," the BBC said.
Some masked workers shouting "Revenge for the deaths of our colleagues" brandished steel pipes and threw fire bombs as several thousand riot police sealed off government offices and the American embassy.
The Confederation of Trade Unions called for a general strike on Wednesday.
