South Korean unions have threatened to begin nationwide strikes from this Wednesday unless the government cuts the work week and scraps privatisation plans.
The strikes would come just days before the start of the World Cup finals and involve thousands of taxi drivers, hospital workers and industrial unionists.
"We want the government to implement a five-day workweek," said Mr Yoon Young-mo, an official at the militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. "We are also demanding an end to privatisations for state-run utilities," he said.
"The strike will involve 30,000 workers from metal and chemical industries, 25,000 hospital workers and 10,000 taxi drivers," Mr Yoon said. "If the negotiations with the government go well, then we will halt our strike action".
Last week, South Korean President Mr Kim Dae-jung asked his prime minister to meet unions and opposition lawmakers to urge them to avoid industrial and political unrest during the World Cup soccer finals which begins on May 31st.
The government hopes to introduce a shorter work week from the second half of this year for large companies in return for workers accepting pay cuts and fewer holidays.
Privatidation of state-run companies was also among the president's election campaign promises. But the country's power union staged a six-week strike starting in late February, demanding the government drop its privatisation plan.