ANKARA 

Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul ended an hours-long strike on Thursday after they reached a deal with their employers over a wage increase, local media reported. 

The Seoul Bus Labor Union and their employers agreed to a 4.48% wage hike after negotiations, easing the commute for the city of more than 9 million people, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The unions had originally demanded a 12.7% wage hike.

Public transport operations returned to normal as drivers immediately joined duties right after the deal was agreed.

Earlier in the day, drivers went on a general strike – the first in 12 years – resulting in a nearly 98% halt in bus services.

The Seoul city government increased subway operations for the morning and evening rush hours to mitigate the strike's impact and extended the subway operating hours from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. local time.

The city's 25 district governments also provided emergency free shuttle services to move passengers speedily to subway stations.