Mokpo Mayor Park Hong-ryul Urges City Bus Union to Return to Work on Site

Secured 3 Billion Won in Financial Support; Lack of Justification Due to Citizen Inconvenience and Local Economic Downturn
Request for Early Normal Operation Through Wisdom in Concession and Shared Sacrifice

Mokpo city bus union launched a full strike from 5 a.m. on the 18th (Photo by Mokpo City)

[Mokpo=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] Park Hong-ryul, mayor of Mokpo, urged the Taewon Passenger and Yujin Transport city bus unions to return to work on site.

As the city bus unions launched a full strike from 5 a.m. on the 18th, Mayor Park issued a statement on the morning of the 18th, saying, “I ask both the unions and management to show wisdom in concession and sharing of pain so that city buses can resume normal operation as soon as possible.”

Mayor Park said, “I apologize for causing inconvenience and concern to the citizens,” and added, “Despite the city’s poor financial condition with a fiscal independence rate of 17.44%, we secured 3 billion KRW in financial support necessary to resolve the deficit issue, including 1.4 billion KRW in unpaid wages for Taewon and Yujin bus workers, in the third supplementary budget. We are fully prepared to make the payments. Nevertheless, I express regret over the bus unions’ decision to launch a full strike.”

He continued, “Since the citizens directly bear the inconvenience caused by the strike, I believe their understanding is an essential condition. However, this strike does not meet that condition. Although the unpaid wages related to survival rights can be resolved, the unions are demanding additional requests such as next year’s wage increase all at once, which lacks justification,” and emphasized, “The groups most inconvenienced by the strike are transportation-vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, the elderly, and commuting workers. A strike that ties the feet of your family, friends, and neighbors cannot be justified for any reason.”

He also added, “The local economy is in a very difficult situation due to the aftereffects of COVID-19 and rising prices. Since this strike occurred at a time when patience and sharing of pain are desperately needed, it will be evaluated as a bus operation stoppage strike that worsens the local economic difficulties.”

Regarding the company side, Mayor Park said, “Mokpo city has been forced to support the city bus operation deficit with tens of billions of KRW of taxpayers’ money every year. Although there is criticism about this, we have been supporting the deficit every year with the stance that the right to transportation, which should not cause inconvenience to citizens, must be protected. We strongly request the company to actively respond to citizens’ understanding and the city’s efforts by preparing self-help measures.”

Meanwhile, to minimize inconvenience to citizens, the city has implemented emergency transportation measures starting on the 18th, including deploying 20 courtesy vehicles on two city bus routes, No. 1 and No. 9, fully lifting taxi restrictions, and operating voluntary carpooling among public officials.

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