THE worst violence of South Korea's three week industrial conflict erupted yesterday in Seoul with 30,000 striking workers battling riot police after the government branded their leaders "pro North Korean".
Police unleashed non stop barrages of tear gas at demonstrators, who were spearheaded by activists screaming for the overthrow of the government, as they tried to break through walls of riot police.
The violence came on the second day of a nationwide general strike which failed to attract as much support as expected.
But the clashes were the worst since unrest flared three weeks ago in protest at a new labour law which makes it easier to lay off workers or extend their hours.
The fighting became so bitter that furniture rained down on police from high rise commercial blocks. No reliable estimates of casualties or arrests were available.
By midnight, riot police were resting on their shields after repeated attempts by protesters to break through to Myongdong Cathedral.
The cathedral grounds have been turned into a makeshift headquarters by seven leaders of the outlawed Korean Confederation of Trade Unions since December 26th when the strikes were begun.