Yoon "Cargo Solidarity, Regret Over Violence That May Accompany Safety Accidents... Will Hold Legal Responsibility"

The government will convene a meeting of relevant ministers if necessary to discuss the deployment of substitute personnel and transportation means

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 2nd expressed concern over the illegal acts of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity) of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union, stating, "While advocating for the Safe Freight Rate System, there is worry about violence that could cause major safety accidents to other colleagues," and warned of strict punishment.

President Yoon made these remarks after receiving a report on Cargo Solidarity transport workers during a meeting that day, according to Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office.

Chief Kim said, "We were informed that the situation has not improved regarding obstruction and threats against non-participating workers, specifically group actions refusing transport by blocking factory entrances and exits while armed with steel balls, and threats causing disadvantages to workers who do not participate," adding that President Yoon stated, "We will hold legal responsibility to the fullest extent for strikes based on illegality and crime."

Chief Kim also explained, "The government will closely monitor such situations over the weekend and prepare for all contingencies," and "If necessary, a meeting of related ministers will be convened to discuss countermeasures against collective transport refusal and strikes. Discussions will be held on deploying substitute personnel or alternative transport means if needed."

Furthermore, she urged a return to work, saying, "If industrial sites are paralyzed, daily workers and socially vulnerable groups are the first to be hit. Collective actions like these inevitably cause damage starting with production decreases, trade deficits, and socially vulnerable groups," and "If construction sites stop, daily workers lose jobs, and if fuel supply is cut off, farmers and vulnerable groups are driven into dead ends."

A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters regarding the possibility of issuing additional work commencement orders, "Currently, cement shipment volumes and port cargo throughput have begun to recover," but added, "However, fuel shortages at gas stations are expanding beyond the metropolitan area to Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Gangwon provinces, and petrochemical export shipments have been halted, raising concerns about stockpiling. Steel shipments are about 53% disrupted. Considering all these factors, our government will decide whether additional measures are necessary."

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