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Hyundai says union demands may alter DaimlerChrysler jv plan

SEOUL, May 29 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor said on Thursday tough labour demands may alter DaimlerChrysler AG's plan to set up a truck joint venture with the Korean carmaker.

"If the labour union sticks to unreasonable demands, DaimlerChrysler may alter its plan to set up a venture," a Hyundai spokesman quoted Hyundai Motor's president, Kim Dong-jin, as telling reporters.

South Korea's top automaker, 10-percent owned by DaimlerChrysler, planned to form a 400-million-euro ($469.9 million) joint venture in the first half of 2003, but union demands for job security for employees who would be transferred to the venture, have been delaying the deal.

"DaimlerChrysler requested we resolve the labour issue as soon as possible," Kim said.

Shares in Hyundai Motor closed down 0.7 percent at 29,000 won, versus the broader market which rose 0.65 percent.

($1=.8512 euro)