Daewoo Shipbuilding Strike Police Force Deployment Countdown... Yoon "Waited Long Enough" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon emphasizes "Establishing the Rule of Law in Industrial Sites" at Cabinet Meeting following Daesubi and Weekly Meetings the Day Before

[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 strike by the subcontractor union at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), stating, "I think both the public and the government have waited long enough."

With the National Metal Workers' Union announcing a general strike starting on the 20th, tensions between the government and the union are expected to escalate.

On the morning of the 19th, while heading to the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon responded to reporters' questions about whether he was considering deploying public authority in relation to the DSME strike and the expected timing, saying, "In industrial sites and labor-management relations, illegal acts by either side should not be neglected or tolerated."

President Yoon's remarks appear to reflect a judgment that the 48-day-long strike by the DSME subcontractor union can no longer be overlooked due to the ongoing damages.

During his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the previous day, President Yoon also pointed out the DSME subcontractor union strike as an illegal act. In response, related ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Ministry of Justice jointly issued a statement warning that if the DSME subcontractor union strike continues, strict measures will be taken.

At the cabinet meeting he presided over that morning, President Yoon stated, "As the illegal strike by the DSME subcontractor union prolongs, the damage to the shipbuilding industry, which is recovering with difficulty, and to our economy is enormous, and concerns among local communities and citizens are growing," adding, "The public will no longer tolerate illegal and threatening methods."

He continued, "Regardless of labor or management, the rule of law must be firmly established in industrial sites," emphasizing, "The economy is very difficult right now. It is time for everyone to unite and focus on overcoming this crisis."

Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, also urged a tough response at the party's floor strategy meeting that day, stating, "The government should no longer hesitate and must respond strictly to illegality according to law and principles."

The DSME subcontractor union, the Korean Metal Workers' Union's Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch, began striking on the 2nd of last month, demanding a 30% wage increase and recognition of union activities for full-time union officials.

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

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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