Yoon: "Preparing Work Commencement Orders for Oil Refining and Steel... No Compromise on Illegal Acts and Violence" (Update)

Presided over the Ministerial Meeting on the 4th, Reiterating 'Law and Principles'... Criticizing "Holding the Entire Economy Hostage"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 4th instructed, "Prepare to immediately issue work commencement orders for industries such as petroleum refining and steel, where additional damage is feared." This reflects the judgment to minimize the damage to related industries caused by the Cargo Solidarity's collective transportation refusal. President Yoon emphasized, "There will be no compromise with forces that commit illegal acts and violence."

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon presided over the 'Countermeasure Meeting of Relevant Ministers Regarding the Cargo Solidarity Collective Transportation Refusal' at the Yongsan Presidential Office, conveying this instruction by stating, "Cargo Solidarity is currently holding the entire economy hostage by depriving others of their freedom for their own benefit."

In particular, President Yoon criticized, "Illegal and violent acts are rampant, such as blocking the entry of construction vehicles like ready-mix concrete trucks at construction sites, demanding money from construction companies, or forcing illegal employment." He continued, "The government will not compromise under any circumstances with forces that systematically commit illegal acts and violence, and will hold them fully accountable according to law and principles for organized illegal and violent acts." He added, "If this is not done, chronic illegal strikes and the resulting harm to the public will inevitably continue to be repeated."

Regarding industries such as petroleum refining and steel, where additional damage is feared, he requested preparation for issuing work commencement orders. President Yoon added, "Please swiftly secure alternative measures such as securing substitute drivers for cargo drivers and utilizing military personnel and equipment to minimize industrial damage." Along with this, he emphasized, "Violence and illegal acts that obstruct normal operations threaten others' property and lives," and "The government must take responsibility for protecting drivers who continue normal operations and those who return to work by pursuing and punishing offenders to the end."

Regarding the general strike announced by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) on the 6th, he defined it as a 'political strike.' President Yoon pointed out, "This general strike cannot be seen as representing workers' rights but rather as a political strike. Taking our people's livelihood and the national economy hostage during difficult economic times makes survival even harder for unorganized, vulnerable workers and robs future generations and the public of jobs."

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