HiteJinro "Avoiding Peak Beer Season Impact... Starting Tomorrow, Employees Will Be Deployed to Secure Entrances"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Hite Jinro announced on the 7th that starting from the 8th, it will deploy headquarters employees to its Gangwon factory in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province, to ensure product supply.

In a statement released that day, Hite Jinro said, "Since the Cargo Solidarity Union began an illegal sit-in protest in front of the Gangwon factory, we have been unable to properly supply products despite it being the peak beer season, causing significant damage to our company. To prevent further damage and to supply at least a minimal amount of products to self-employed business owners and consumers who want our products, about 250 employees from the headquarters and factory will secure the entrance and exit routes in front of the Gangwon factory and proceed with product supply."

They added, "This is the minimum measure for our business operations, a legitimate business activity, and a matter related to our right to livelihood. We will pay close attention to prevent any safety accidents on site and strive to ensure that product supply during the peak season is not disrupted. Since the Cargo Solidarity Union's sit-in, with the active assistance of the Gangwon Police Agency and Hongcheon Police Station, we have secured the access routes, and we will cooperate with the police tomorrow morning to do our best to proceed with normal loading and unloading."

Earlier, since the 2nd, due to protests by the Cargo Solidarity Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union, beer shipments at Hite Jinro's Gangwon factory have been disrupted. The Gangwon factory produces beer products such as Terra, Hite, Max, and Filite. The Cargo Solidarity Union occupied the factory entrance and staged a sit-in protest. They are demanding a 30% increase in freight charges, payment for holiday work transportation fees, vehicle advertising fees, and car wash fees.

The police issued dispersal orders to 12 union members who blocked logistics vehicle movement on a bridge on the 5th, but they refused and were arrested on the spot. On the 4th, two union members were also arrested by the police for the same reason. The police have applied for arrest warrants for four senior union members.

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