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Unionized workers at domestic banks and other financial institutions voted overwhelmingly for a general strike scheduled to begin July 11, but no major disruptions of bank computer systems are expected even if the work stoppage takes place as planned.

"Some 90.3 percent of 43,606 unionist employees who had cast ballots voted in favor of the strike as of 10 a.m. yesterday, with about 73 percent of the votes counted," said Yoon Tae-su, a spokesman of the Korean Finance Industry Union (KFIU).

Vote-counting was completed at 16 institutions but still underway at six others, including Housing and Commercial Bank, the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute and the Korea Asset Management Corp, he said, adding that the final result of the ballot will be announced around Sunday.

Yoon said that about 64,800 unionized workers at 24 banks and non-bank financial institutions are expected to take part in the strike in protest against a government-led banking reform, which they claim will lead to massive job cuts.

He also said that union members at Shinhan Bank and Korea First Bank (KFB) will join the general strike. Shinhan's workers are to vote to determine whether to take part in the work stoppage today, while KFB's unionist employees are scheduled to cast ballots tomorrow.

But a Shinhan spokesman said yesterday that it was unclear whether its labor union will vote today to decide its position on the issue. A KFB official also said that its unionized workers are expected to vote against the planned strike.

Meanwhile, the projected general strike is unlikely to cripple the computer networks of the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearing Institute (KFTCI) and banks.

A KFIU official said that the umbrella organization will not artificially shut down or occupy computer systems even if it is encouraging unionists in charge of computer systems to join the strike.

"A shutdown of bank computer systems is likely to turn the public against us," he said. "Therefore, we will refrain from occupying or shutting down computer systems."

A major clearinghouse, the KFTCI also said that its labor union has agreed with management to operate its computer system normally even if it goes on strike.

"Our union will not join the general strike. The company and the trade union have agreed to keep our computer systems and bill clearing business normal in any case."

The Financial Supervisory Service is also working out emergency measures to prevent the stoppage of computer systems at banks, while banks have secured replacement workers in case of a walkout by union members.