The Seoul Metro Labor Union, which controls the capital's subway lines one through eight, has resolved to go on a three-day strike starting today.
Given that a lot of people use the subway to commute to work or school,... it might be a frustrating commute this morning.
For more details, let's connect to our reporter Kim Bo-kyoung.
Bo-kyoung, you are at one of Seoul's busiest subway stations, describe the situation there now.
Hi Connyoung, right now I'm at City Hall station where lots of workers to come to go to work.
The station is not that busy yet since it's still quite early,.... but as the labor union is going on strike from today until Friday, the scene could look quite different in an hour or two as more people come in.
Giving you some background, Tthe union had talks with the management of Seoul Metro until late last night asking them to accept three demands... but it didn't work out and eventually the negotiations broke down.
Of the three demands,… the union is strongly demanding to improve or repeal the salary peak system.
Seoul Metro adopted the salary peak system three years ago.... which guarantees workers' employment with a lower salary… instead of laying them off.
Seoul Metro was supposed to direct the money secured by lowering employees' salaries to recruit new employees... but according to the union, as those funds run low,... Seoul Metro is cutting down elsewhere.
Fortunately,.. as Seoul Metro is a workplace that's required by law to maintain a certain operating rate,... the operating rate for lines 1 through 4 will be maintained at around 65% and lines 5 to 8 will be around 78% outside peak hours.
In order to minimize inconvenience during peak commuting times from 7 am to 9 am,... Seoul Metro will use substitute workers to maintain a 100% operating rate during those two hours.
However,... as these substitutes are not skilled workers, commuters might find the ride a little less comfortable than normal. This is all from me, Back to you Connyoung.