Yoon hints at deploying public force against Daewoo Shipbuilding subcontractor union strike: "We've waited long enough"

President Yoon: "Illegal acts in industrial sites and labor relations will not be tolerated, whether by labor or management"
Regarding meeting with US Treasury Secretary Yellen: "I think there were advanced discussions on the economic security alliance"
On reasons for over 60% negative evaluation of government administration: "The media probably knows well"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 19th, President Yoon Seok-yeol hinted at the possibility of deploying public authority regarding the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) subcontractor union strike, stating, "I think both the public and the government have waited long enough."

On the morning of the same day, when President Yoon was asked by reporters on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office, "Are you considering deploying public authority regarding the DSME strike? What is the expected timing?" he responded, "In industrial sites and labor-management relations, illegal acts by either labor or management must not be neglected or tolerated."

As the DSME subcontractor union strike enters its 48th day, causing damage worth billions of won to the shipbuilding industry and the local economy, this is interpreted as implying that the deployment of public authority is inevitable.

At a luncheon meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the previous day, President Yoon also stated, "The rule of law must be established," and "Illegal situations at industrial sites must come to an end." Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Han convened an emergency meeting with related ministers at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss response measures.

Accordingly, the government issued a 'Joint Statement from Related Ministries on the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Situation' the previous day, announcing a strict response based on law and principles, including criminal punishment and compensation for damages.

Deputy Prime Minister Choo warned in the joint statement, "The subcontractor union's exclusive occupation of major work facilities is clearly illegal, and they cannot avoid criminal punishment such as property damage and liability for compensation."

The subcontractor labor union of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch of the Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), began striking on the 2nd of last month, demanding a 30% wage increase and recognition of union activities such as full-time union officials.

Currently, they are occupying and staging a sit-in at the first dock (sandbuck construction yard), the largest dock at the Okpo Shipyard, where a super-large crude oil carrier (VLCC) is under construction.

Regarding the meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, President Yoon said, "There is no agreed agenda between both sides," and added, "I think there will be more advanced discussions on concretizing the ROK-U.S. alliance from a political-security alliance to an economic-security alliance, based on the agreements made when President Biden visited Korea last time."

When asked about the reason why the negative evaluation of President Yoon's administration exceeded 60%, he retorted, "The media probably knows the reason well," and added, "If the reason was well understood, any government would have solved it. We are just working hard."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.