Railway Union Strike... Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Government Policies Are Not Negotiation Subjects... Will Respond to Illegal Acts According to Law and Principles"

"No Consideration of Privatization"
Emergency Transport Countermeasures Headquarters Activated
Cannot Accept One-Sided Claims of Railroad Union... Urge Withdrawal of Strike

With the nationwide railway workers' union strike scheduled to begin on the 14th, the government has warned that it plans to respond according to law and principles if illegal acts such as obstructing train departures occur. Furthermore, it urged the railway workers' union to withdraw the strike, stating that it cannot accept the union's unilateral claims regarding government policies that should be decided through discussions among related agencies. The government has activated an emergency transportation countermeasure headquarters in preparation for the strike.

The National Railroad Workers' Union held a press conference on the 5th in front of Seoul Station titled "Immediate Operation of Suseo-bound KTX, 200,000 Signatures on the National Petition Achieved! Now the Blue House Must Respond!" / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

On the 13th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) reiterated its call for the railway union to withdraw its planned strike starting on the 14th and announced the activation of the emergency transportation countermeasure headquarters to minimize public inconvenience.

MOLIT stated, "We fully recognize the hard work of railway workers who have been responsible for public mobility and dedicated to the development of railways. We urge the railway union to withdraw the strike plan now and protect the railway field to prevent any inconvenience to the public." It added, "Government policies are not subject to labor-management negotiations, and it is not a mature attitude to forcibly proceed with a strike to enforce unilateral claims on policies that are difficult to accept immediately or are currently under review."

Earlier, the railway union announced a strike lasting four days from the 14th to the 18th, demanding △ that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport resolve citizen inconvenience by changing the terminus of the Busan-Seoul KTX line, which was reduced on the Suseo-Busan route and increased on the Busan-Seoul route, back to Suseo Station △ maximize train operation efficiency by connecting KTX and SRT services △ and eliminate fare differences between KTX and SRT.

In a press release on the same day, MOLIT clarified that the current government has never considered railway privatization. It explained that the decision to maintain the current competitive system was made after long-term discussions, and that the Suseo-bound KTX contradicts this competitive system. Even if pursued, it would be difficult to implement immediately due to insufficient operational conditions such as track capacity and vehicle shortages, as well as institutional foundations.

Regarding the union's demand for full implementation of the 4-shift 2-team system, MOLIT said it is subject to approval for changes in the railway safety management system and that a specialized agency (Korea Transportation Safety Authority) is conducting a thorough review of the safety impact due to workforce reduction.

MOLIT clearly stated that it is practically impossible to accept the railway union's demand concerning the Suseo-bound KTX. The ministry explained, "Changing the terminus of the already operating KTX causes confusion among passengers. Additionally, since Korail and SR have different track usage fees and fare systems, there is a cost disparity in operating trains on the same route, and passengers must pay different fares for trains on the same route, causing confusion." It also noted, "Furthermore, passengers must book the single Suseo-Busan KTX trainset through Korail, not SR, which causes inconvenience."

Regarding the connection operation of KTX and SRT, MOLIT stated, "This matter has not yet undergone technical review, and safety assessments such as vehicle interface compatibility are necessary."

The ministry emphasized that it cannot accept unilateral claims made through strikes on government policies that should be decided through discussions among related agencies, and that the withdrawal of the strike plan must come first.

To minimize public inconvenience and confusion caused by the railway union strike, MOLIT has activated the emergency transportation countermeasure headquarters. It plans to focus available substitute personnel on high-demand commuter trains and KTX to maximize train operation rates. The operation rate for commuter trains is planned at about 75% of normal levels, and for KTX about 68% (76% including SRT). Specifically, commuter trains will operate at 90% during morning rush hours (07:00?09:00) and 80% during evening rush hours (18:00?20:00).

Through cooperation with local governments, bus operators, and other related agencies, alternative transportation means will also be secured as much as possible. The shortage of train seats due to the strike will be compensated by high-speed, intercity, and city buses, and if additional capacity is needed based on congestion monitoring, reserve buses and chartered buses under joint transportation agreements will be deployed.

Additionally, MOLIT will strengthen guidance at major KTX transfer stations during peak congestion times, deploy safety personnel intensively, and, if necessary, assign police and other control personnel to thoroughly maintain safety within railway stations.

The ministry also stated that it will strictly respond according to law and principles if illegal acts such as obstruction of train operations or interference with railway workers' duties occur, in cooperation with the railway police.

MOLIT urged, "The government plans to proceed with policies carefully while listening to diverse opinions with an open attitude, so we hope the railway union immediately withdraws the unilateral strike that causes public inconvenience."

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