Regarding the Munyangsan Protest: "Even the Presidential Office Allows Protests"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 7th, "Whether it is unfair labor practices by employers or illegal acts by workers, I have continuously declared that we will respond according to the law and principles from the start of election campaigns."
President Yoon made this remark on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office building in the morning, responding to reporters' comments that "there are concerns about a logistics crisis due to the Cargo Solidarity's general strike."
With the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) starting an indefinite general strike from midnight on the same day, President Yoon reaffirmed his stance to strictly respond with a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal acts.
The Cargo Solidarity is demanding the withdrawal of the abolition of the Safe Freight Rate system, which was introduced as a sunset clause along with the amendment of the Freight Vehicle Transportation Business Act in 2018. The Safe Freight Rate system is designed to guarantee appropriate wages for freight drivers to prevent overwork, overloading, and speeding. It imposes fines on consignors who pay rates lower than the safe freight rate, which is the minimum rate necessary to ensure traffic safety.
The system has been implemented for three years from 2020 until the end of this year and is scheduled to be abolished. The Cargo Solidarity is demanding the expansion of the system, arguing that it is difficult to maintain their livelihoods without the Safe Freight Rate system amid soaring oil prices.
When asked about his thoughts on the ongoing protests by conservative YouTubers and others in front of former President Moon Jae-in's private residence in Yangsan, President Yoon responded, "Protests are permitted even around the presidential office," adding, "Everything will be done according to the law."
Former President Moon criticized the ongoing protests in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, where his residence is located, saying through his secretariat on the 30th of last month, "The peaceful village has turned into a scene of loud shouting and abusive language. The village elders suffer daily from loudspeaker noise and verbal abuse, enduring unspeakable pain," and "Not only are the residents' daily lives being destroyed, but their healthy lives are also threatened, making it a matter of survival."
In response, Assemblyman Han Byung-do of the Democratic Party of Korea introduced a bill on the 4th to amend the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Assembly Act) to prohibit assemblies or demonstrations that infringe on privacy to such an extent.
Meanwhile, regarding criticism that key government positions are monopolized by former prosecutors, President Yoon maintained his principle, saying, "Our personnel principle is to appoint competent individuals in the right places." When asked about concerns that the personnel vacuum in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is prolonged due to delays in the second half organization of the 21st National Assembly, he replied, "We will proceed while cooperating with the National Assembly, considering the situation of the organization."
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