Ssangyong Releases Photos of Union-occupied Plant

Ssangyong Motor released yesterday some 20 aerial pictures of the inside of its union-occupied Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province. The photos were taken in a helicopter July 1 when leaflets were distributed urging striking unionists to disperse.

The union has occupied the plant since May 22 in protest of layoffs.

“The union has turned the plant into a fortress and produced weapons to prepare for a police crackdown,” Ssangyong management said in a statement.

Tires shown stacked on the rooftops of the main buildings will apparently be dropped to the ground if police attempt to enter the buildings, the company said. Boxes near the wheels contain volts, which can be used as bullets for slingshots.

Also seen in the photos were two containers of liquefied petroleum gas tied to a pipe. The company warned that if the end of the pipe is lit, the tanks will act as flamethrowers.

Tires were stacked in several places inside the plant. When police approach, union workers will hurl Molotov cocktails to set the tires on fire, the company said. Certain tires will explode because butane gas containers are attached to them.

Placards reading “We will survive when you die,” or “You will die together,” were placed on the streets. The union declined comment on these signs.

Police in Gyeonggi Province Saturday took control of the four main gates of the plants and posted officers at the gates to control access to the plant. Near the gates, two union members were arrested but no clash occurred because all of the unionized workers on guard left the gates.

In addition, police installed yesterday reticulated fences inside the gates and deployed 100 officers to each gate. Police plan to take control of all of the plant’s buildings except a car painting facility occupied by union workers. After that, striking union workers will be dispersed.

A police source said, “In preparation for the crackdown, we’ve secured the gates,” adding, “We cannot enter the car painting plant immediately, however, due to the massive volume of inflammable materials.”

The union said in response, “If police want a second Yongsan tragedy (a January civilian-police clash in which six people were killed in Seoul), so be it.”

“But they must know that the company and the government will take responsibility for all consequences. We will fight to the end.”

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