Won Hee-ryong: "The 'Minpae Union' Engaged in Illegal and Planned Strikes... Cutting Ties Reflects Public Sentiment"

On November 24, when the Cargo Solidarity Union began an indefinite general strike, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited the Uiwang Inland Container Terminal in Gyeonggi Province and held a briefing after an emergency situation meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Wanyong] Won Heeryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, labeled the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Cargo Solidarity strike as a ‘troublesome union’ threatening the Korean economy, intensifying criticism against the illegal strike actions.

On the 1st, Minister Won posted on his Facebook page titled ‘Remove the dark hand of the troublesome union,’ warning against illegal acts and directives for planned strikes.

In particular, Minister Won stated, “It was revealed that when the labor-management negotiations at Seoul Metro were about to be concluded, a troublesome union official intervened, causing the breakdown and pushing for a strike,” adding, “Now the public clearly knows who is driving South Korea into a lawless strike chaos.”

He also raised suspicions about the instigation of the general strike by the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) union scheduled for the 2nd. Minister Won questioned, “A troublesome union official met with the KORAIL union; what did they instigate and plot during that meeting?” and said, “I urge you to immediately remove your dark hand that is instigating the planned strike in the KORAIL union.”

Minister Won also left a congratulatory message on the POSCO union’s withdrawal from the KCTU. He emphasized, “The sharp rise in stock prices immediately after the POSCO union’s withdrawal from the KCTU reflects the evaluation of retail investors toward the KCTU,” and added, “The true intention of the majority of workers protecting the production sites is to reject the role of the KCTU as a vanguard of the troublesome union.”

According to the steel industry, among POSCO’s two major unions, the POSCO branch conducted a member vote from the 28th to the 30th of last month on withdrawing from the KCTU Metal Workers’ Union, resulting in approval with a 69.9% majority. The POSCO branch plans to withdraw from the industrial union as soon as possible and apply for a company-type union.

In a recent statement, the POSCO branch pointed out, “The Metal Workers’ Union wants the branch to work for and exist for the Metal Workers’ Union,” and criticized, “Even though the vote is being conducted legally, they continue to belittle us by disciplining union executives directly elected by employees.”

Following the news of the POSCO branch’s withdrawal from the KCTU, the stock price of POSCO Steelion, a POSCO steel production affiliate, surged 29.87% on the 30th, and POSCO ICT rose 9.86%, leading to a rise in POSCO-related stocks at market close.

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