Private day care centers nationwide have decided to withdraw their strike Tuesday and promised to normalize operations from Wednesday.

The Korea Edu-Care Association, a group of private day care centers in the country, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare said they have decided to prioritize the welfare of the children.

According to the ministry, the KEA leadership met with Sohn Gunn-yik, vice welfare minister, Tuesday morning and held marathon negotiations. The nurseries decided to call off the strike, while the government, in return, promised to form a committee consisting of industry insiders and government officials to discuss deregulations as the association leaders have demanded.

“Some regulations that do not affect the safety, security, health, welfare and hygiene of the children will be partially eased,” said Lee Jae-yong, a ministry official.

“We regret having caused chaos to society,” the two parties said.

About 5,000 of daycare centers on Monday announced a nationwide strike against the government’s “petty” support. Some of them, did so partially with teachers taking turns watching the classrooms, but they, too, vowed to go on a full strike on Wednesday.

Working parents complained about the closure which left them with no alternative.

There are about 15,000 private day care centers looking after 750,000 children in the country.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)