historyAug 17, 20261:26pending
17 August 1987: Hyundai occupation
About this episode
On this day, 17 August 1987, workers in South Korea occupied factories and the shipyard of the Hyundai corporation in the city of Ulsan.
Meanwhile, upwards of 30,000 workers took to the streets and battled riot police in the city, in one of the biggest confrontations to date between workers and the US-backed dictatorship.
The strikes spread, and the "Great Workers' Struggle," as the movement would become known, would at its height involve around 1.2 million workers – one third of the regular workforce – with 3,749 strikes taking place by the end of the year.
Learn more about the 1987 rebellion in South Korea in episodes 91 to 92 of our podcast: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e91-92-south-korea-1987/
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
Meanwhile, upwards of 30,000 workers took to the streets and battled riot police in the city, in one of the biggest confrontations to date between workers and the US-backed dictatorship.
The strikes spread, and the "Great Workers' Struggle," as the movement would become known, would at its height involve around 1.2 million workers – one third of the regular workforce – with 3,749 strikes taking place by the end of the year.
Learn more about the 1987 rebellion in South Korea in episodes 91 to 92 of our podcast: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e91-92-south-korea-1987/
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
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