Wonsan Strike of 1929

a general strike of the workers in the city of Wonsan (Korea). The strike occurred between January 14 and April 6 and was led by the Wonsan Federation of Labor (founded in 1924). The strikers—primarily workers (300 persons) at the petroleum refinery in Munpyong (near Wonsan), transportation and port workers, workers in commercial and industrial enterprises, newspaper workers, Japanese joiners, carpenters, and others—made demands, including the introduction of an eight-hour work day and the restoration of jobs to strike leaders who had been fired. The Wonsan strike was supported by solidarity strikes in the cities of Seoul, Pyongyang, Pusan, Sinpo, Pukchong, and Hamhung (Korea), Kobe (Japan), and other localities. It was put down with repressive measures by the Wonsan police and police forces from other cities who came to their aid. The Wonsan strike played an important role in the development of the workers’ movement in Korea during subsequent years.