Railway services will run without any major disruption despite a scheduled strike by unionized railroad workers next week, the government said Friday.

All KTX trains will run as scheduled as the government will use temporary workers, with the military also providing their skilled drivers, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.

Operations of other passenger train services, including Saemaul trains, will likely be reduced to around 60 percent of their normal levels should unionized workers of the state-run Korea Railroad go on strike starting Tuesday as scheduled.

In such a case, the government will expand other means of travel, such as buses, to cover the routes with reduced train services.

The scheduled walkout is in opposition to a government plan to introduce a performance-based pay system for railway workers at the start of next year.

The government and unionized workers have said they will continue to seek a resolution until the very start of the strike, but those close to the negotiations said chances of an agreement remain slim.

For cargo train services, whose operation levels are expected to fall to as low as 30 percent, the government said it will work to have most cargo moved before the strike and use additional cargo trucks should the labor walkout become extended or more serious, the ministry said in a press release.

"The government will do its utmost to minimize any inconvenience to the people and will sternly deal with any illegal activities," it added. (Yonhap)