[March 22, 2009] Korean cable news channel staff launch strike action Tweet SEOUL, Mar 23, 2009 (Asia In Focus via COMTEX) -- Hundreds of unionized employees at Korean cable news channel YTN went on strike today, demanding a raise in pay and the reinstatement of union leaders who were dismissed last fall for opposing the appointment of the broadcaster's new chief. The strike comes amid lingering tension between employees at some broadcasters and the government of President Lee Myung-bak over media industry reform bills centered on permitting simultaneous ownership of print and broadcasting media by a single investor. * President Lee, inaugurated last February, replaced the heads of Korea's largest public broadcaster KBS and 24-hour news channel YTN with those relatively favorable to his conservative government, triggering opposition from media unionists. * Critics claim the replacement of broadcaster heads is an initial step in the president's ultimate plan to privatize state-run television channels, a move strongly opposed by broadcasters while welcomed by market-dominating newspaper companies and conglomerates. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]