SOUTH KOREAN unions staged a general strike and rally yesterday calling for the release of their jailed leaders and President Park Geun Hye to quit.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said 220,000 members from the public transport, civil service, construction and education sectors took the day off or left work early as part of the protest.

The government claimed the figure was just 70,000, labelling the action “political” and “illegal.”