June 29, 2007 (LPAC)-- Hyundai and Kia unions have joined a nation-wide strike by the Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU), in protest of the U.S-South Korean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by both governments, and pending approval in both legislatures. The strike has been attacked not only by the employers of the metal workers, but also by the South Korean government. Hyundai Motors filed a lawsuit against the the head of the KMWU and 22 other members.

Between 40,000 - 100,000 workers joined the strike. The Police have already announced that they will be rounding up 17 union leaders as they have warrants for their arrest for an "illegal" strike, since it is supposedly not over labor issues. One union official said that the FTA "will threaten the employment of workers, and will pit American workers against Korean workers in a race to the bottom."

The walkout took on a whole new dimension when all of the 16,000 Kia KMWU members joined in the strike, and 25% of the KMWU workers for Hyundai Motor Corp. The KMWU of Hyundai and Kia make up the largest block of the KMWU. On Thursday the walk out lasted for four hours, with plans to stay out for 6 hours Friday."