BUSAN, South Korea, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Three representatives from the Korea Cargo Workers Union (KCWU) met officials from the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) early Monday, demanding that the government legislate for higher subsidies, a guaranteed minimum wage and recognition of truckers' full labor rights, according to the KCWU.

    "The GNP seems to have only a superficial knowledge of the situation. However, there seems to be some hope, as they are willing to listen," said Kim Dal-shik, head of the committee of the KCWU.

    The KCWU, which claims to have a membership of more than 13,000, went on full strike on Friday, protesting rising fuel costs.

    The union accounts for only 3-4 percent of all commercial vehicle drivers, but many drive large container-hauling trucks that are critical to the country's ability to haul freight by road.

    Located on the southeastern coast, Busan port, the country's largest port, was backed up with undelivered and unloaded containers.

    Employees at the port here said if the strike drags on, the disruption would spread and affect the country's economy, as goods that come into the port would not be delivered on time.

    "It's going to be worse than 2003. All the truckers, even the non-union members, are fighting for their livelihoods," said a port official.

    South Korea's worst-ever truckers' strike in May 2003 lasted two weeks and cost the nation roughly 540 million U.S. dollars.

    As of Sunday, 75 percent of the dock space in the Busan port was already filled, with 75 percent in Incheon, west of Seoul, 52 percent in Ulsan, 45 percent in Pyeongtaek and 32 percent in Gwangyang also backed up.