Oyster Industry Urges "Cargo Solidarity Strike to End... Negative Impact on National Economy"

"Damage Realized... Daily Shipment Volume at 10% of Usual"

At the entrance of a steel company within the Pohang Steel Industrial Complex in Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, about 200 members of the Cargo Solidarity Pohang Regional Headquarters blocked trailers attempting to enter the company on the 10th. The Cargo Solidarity opened the passage after a standoff lasting about 30 minutes, with police dispatched to the scene. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Petrochemical Industry Association urged the Cargo Solidarity Union of the National Manju Labor Union Federation Public Transport Union to immediately stop their strike on the 12th, stating that shipments have dropped to 10% of the usual volume due to the collective transport refusal by the Cargo Solidarity Union.

According to the industry, shipments have been halted across petrochemical complexes in Ulsan, Yeosu, and Daesan due to the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective transport refusal. As product transportation is disrupted, the daily average shipment volume has fallen to about 10% of the usual 74,000 tons. Companies are worried not only about sales and export losses but also about factory shutdowns. If the strike continues, shutdowns will be inevitable, and the risk of safety accidents during the restart process may increase.

The association stated, "Disruptions in the supply of hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases, which are closely linked to the daily lives of the public, have already increased public inconvenience. If the petrochemical industry supplying basic materials also halts operations, it could have a detrimental effect on the entire national economy," adding, "To ensure that the public's efforts to overcome the crisis do not go to waste, the Cargo Solidarity Union must immediately stop the collective transport refusal and return to transportation."