Presidential Office Issues Cargo Solidarity Work Commencement Order "Difficult to Specify Timing"... Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting Tomorrow

Presidential Office: "In a Situation of Great Economic Instability, Collective Transport Refusal by Cargo Solidarity... Concerns Cannot Be Overlooked"

On the 16th, one day before President Yoon Suk-yeol's 100th day in office, the Presidential Office building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul is shown. President Yoon, emphasizing the elimination of authoritarianism, moved the seat of government from the former Blue House to Yongsan. With the president's office relocated to Yongsan, the Blue House has been fully opened to the public. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the fourth day of the indefinite general strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU Cargo Solidarity), the Presidential Office stated on the 27th that "various practical reviews are being conducted" regarding whether to issue a work commencement order.

Lee Jae-myung, Deputy Spokesperson of the Presidential Office, said at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "(At present) it is difficult to specify the timing."

This is interpreted as a response to speculation that the government is likely to issue a work commencement order against the Cargo Solidarity after deliberation at the Cabinet meeting on the 29th.

First, Deputy Spokesperson Lee lamented, "In such a situation of great economic instability, where the government and the private sector must work together with all their strength, we cannot help but be concerned about the Cargo Solidarity's collective refusal to transport."

He mentioned, "Damage to the industry is becoming a reality," adding, "In particular, due to disruptions in cement transportation, there is a shortage of ready-mixed concrete, and construction sites are directly affected. Among the vehicles of the four major oil refiners, 70 to 80% are operated by Cargo Solidarity union members, so if the situation prolongs, there could be disruptions in the supply of gasoline and kerosene to gas stations."

Deputy Spokesperson Lee also expressed concern, saying, "The government expects that damage will begin to materialize in various industrial sectors such as construction from early this week," and "there is a high possibility that it will directly cause a crisis to the national economy."

Regarding this, Deputy Spokesperson Lee reiterated, "The government once again emphasizes that it has no choice but to respond on the side of public safety, convenience, and the people against collective power that directly threatens livelihoods and the national economy."

He added that the government plans to hold a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) chaired by Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min on the 28th to discuss specific response measures.

A Presidential Office official, when asked again by reporters about the timing of issuing the work commencement order, said, "We need to closely examine the damage situation in the industry to see if the conditions for issuance are met," and "It is difficult to specify a particular date as the damage situation tomorrow cannot be predicted in advance."

On the 24th, when the Cargo Solidarity Union began an indefinite general strike, members of the Cargo Solidarity Union held a send-off ceremony near the Uiwang Inland Container Terminal in Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

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