Order to Start Tanker Operations Issued...? Won Hee-ryong Says "Urgency in Refining Sector"

National Railway Union Announces 2-Day Strike
Won Hee-ryong: "Cabinet Meeting Can Be Convened Anytime"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] As the Cargo Solidarity strike enters its eighth day, the government has begun reviewing the issuance of a work commencement order for tanker truck (tank lorry) drivers following cement transport workers. This is due to the rapidly deteriorating gasoline supply situation at frontline gas stations.

On the 1st, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited the Seoul Guro Vehicle Service Center to inspect emergency transportation measures in preparation for the nationwide railway union strike, stating, "Although it is too early to make a definitive judgment, considering the current industrial characteristics, the refining sector is urgent."

Minister Won added, "Since the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters is monitoring the situation in real time, if it is judged that the delay can no longer continue, a Cabinet meeting can be convened at any time to issue an additional work commencement order."

Regular Cabinet meetings are held every Tuesday, but if an additional work commencement order is urgent, an extraordinary Cabinet meeting can be convened beforehand.

Regarding the railway union, which has announced a strike on the 2nd, he said, "The national economy is struggling due to the Cargo Solidarity's refusal to transport, and the public is deeply worried. At times like this, the railway union should stand with the people, not act as the vanguard of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions."

If the railway union goes on strike, it will be the first time in three years since November 2019.

Minister Won encouraged the military replacement personnel who would substitute for the railway union, saying, "There is still time left for negotiations, so I have hope and confidence that normal operations can continue without the deployment of replacement personnel."

The railway union is opposing the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's review of opening vehicle maintenance to the private sector and transferring facility maintenance and control rights to the Korea Rail Network Authority, calling it a preparatory step toward privatization.

In response, Minister Won stated, "There is not even the slightest intention of privatization in the government's railway policy," and criticized, "Claims of privatization are a false frame to evade responsibility for their own safety failures."

He further said, "We will thoroughly respond and distinguish cases where the privatization frame is applied to railway industry restructuring, where safety responsibility is shifted onto the government or personnel, and where the railway union acts as the vanguard of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, inciting political strikes."

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