On the 7th, a kickoff rally for the general strike was held near the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, as the Cargo Solidarity Union launched a general strike demanding the abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and an increase in transportation fees due to high oil prices. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] On the first day of the general strike by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Cargo Solidarity on the 7th, logistics transportation disruptions were reported across the country. However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) stated that overall logistics damage is not yet significant.
On the 7th, the KCTU Public Transport Workers' Union Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity) began a general strike and collective refusal to transport starting at midnight.
In this strike, Cargo Solidarity is demanding the withdrawal of the abolition of the Safe Freight Rate System, which has been in effect since 2020. The Safe Freight Rate System was introduced to guarantee appropriate wages for cargo drivers and to prevent overwork, overloading, and speeding. It is a sunset system scheduled to be abolished at the end of this year.
On the same day, Cargo Solidarity held departure rallies for the strike in 14 regions nationwide, including Busan, Incheon, and Gyeongnam, followed by gatherings at local industrial complexes and shipper factories. MOLIT estimated that about 9,000 members, approximately 40% of the total 22,000 Cargo Solidarity union members, participated in the departure rallies.
MOLIT explained, "Major shippers and transportation companies have taken preemptive transportation measures for a significant portion of logistics in preparation for the collective refusal to transport," adding, "Considering the situation at major logistics hubs such as ports, logistics damage nationwide appears to be not significant yet."
On the 7th, cargo trucks were parked at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, as the Cargo Solidarity Union launched a general strike demanding the abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and an increase in transportation fees due to high oil prices. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Currently, all 12 ports nationwide are reported to be operating normally. MOLIT also stated that there are no blockades at the entrances of container yards and factories. The container occupancy rate by port (the ratio of containers actually stored to the port's container storage capacity) remains at 68.8%, similar to usual levels.
However, if the situation prolongs, the damage is expected to increase. The Korea Cement Association explained that nationwide cement shipments have dropped to about 10% of normal levels. At the distribution base in Uiwang (Bugok), Gyeonggi Province, which supplies cement to the metropolitan area, Cargo Solidarity vehicles blocked the entrance, halting cement transportation entirely. Cement shipments have also been completely stopped due to Cargo Solidarity's occupation at major inland cement factories in Danyang and Jecheon, Chungbuk, and Yeongwol, Gangwon.
The distribution industry believes that overall, the participation rate of cargo truck owners connecting logistics centers and large mart branches is not high, so the impact is expected to be limited. However, they are monitoring the strike situation with concern over its potential prolongation.
MOLIT announced that it has requested police deployment at major logistics hubs to prevent illegal acts such as obstruction of transportation by strike participants and physical clashes.
The government emphasized that while it guarantees the legitimate assembly of Cargo Solidarity, it will strictly respond according to law and principles in cooperation with the police against acts that obstruct the transportation of normal operating vehicles. Regarding Cargo Solidarity's demands, such as the abolition of the sunset clause of the Safe Freight Rate System, the government stated it is always ready to engage in active dialogue.
The government has formed a Central Transportation Countermeasure Headquarters, led by Deputy Minister Eom Myung-so of MOLIT, to prepare and implement emergency transportation measures to minimize logistics disruptions caused by the strike.
Through regional emergency transportation committees, MOLIT has deployed government-commissioned vehicles and other official container transport vehicles to major logistics hubs such as Busan Port and Incheon Port. A MOLIT official said, "We urge frontline cargo truck drivers not to join unjustified collective actions and to continue their livelihoods."
On the 7th, a kickoff rally for the general strike was held near the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, as the Cargo Solidarity Union launched a general strike demanding the abolition of the sunset clause on safe freight rates and an increase in transportation fees due to high oil prices. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
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