SEOUL, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The head of South Korea's national railroad said the company would take action against striking workers who do not return to duty this weekend.
Talks between labor and management of the Korea Rail Corp. broke down Friday, prompting KORAIL President Choi Yeon-hye to tell reporters there would be consequences for failing to end the walkout that began Dec. 9.
"(The company) has no choice but to take actions against striking employees who do not return to work," Choi said.
The union said later it was willing to end the strike if the government changed its plans to issue an operating license to a new rail line linking Seoul and the port city of Busan, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
The government has said the license issue is not under the jurisdiction of the union and cannot be part of the negotiations.
The rail union opposes the license, calling it a step toward privatization of KORAIL.
