HiteJinro Gangwon Factory's Beer Shipment Rate at 0% Due to Cargo Solidarity Sit-in... Distribution Disruption Concerns Intensify

HiteJinro Defines Distribution Disruption as Business Obstruction... "Will Hold Responsible in Future"
Five Union Members Attempt Bridge Jump During Protest... All Rescued

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The sit-in protest by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) at the HiteJinro Gangwon Plant has entered its third day, causing the beer shipment rate to plummet to the lowest level. As the Cargo Solidarity's protest is expected to continue throughout this week, shipment delays are also anticipated to persist. HiteJinro has classified this issue as business obstruction and stated that it will hold those responsible accountable in the future.

According to industry sources on the 4th, the shipment rate of beer products produced at the HiteJinro Gangwon Plant dropped to about 29% of the usual level on the first day of the Cargo Solidarity protest on the 2nd, and further declined to the 0% range on the 3rd. As of the morning of the 4th, the shipment rate remained at 0%.

The HiteJinro Gangwon Plant primarily produces beer products such as Terra and has shipped the largest volume among HiteJinro beer plants, averaging 110,000 to 120,000 boxes per day. If the suspension of shipments continues during the peak summer beer season, disruptions in beer distribution and increased consumer harm are expected.

About 200 union members belonging to the Cargo Solidarity, who have been demanding increased transportation fees, have been staging a sit-in protest since the afternoon of the 2nd, mobilizing around 20 cargo trucks at the entrance roads of the HiteJinro Gangwon Plant. These members are reportedly planning to continue the indefinite sit-in until their demands for fare increases are met.

In response, HiteJinro stated that it will definitely hold those responsible for the business obstruction accountable. A HiteJinro representative said, "More than 100 other truck owners, who have nothing to do with us, have been suffering since March due to the Cargo Solidarity. It is not right to come to the unrelated Gangwon beer plant and disrupt operations." They also rebutted, "The dismissed drivers had their contracts terminated by Suyang Logistics, and since they are not HiteJinro employees, we cannot directly dismiss them."

Suyang Logistics is currently negotiating with cargo truck owners transporting soju from the Icheon and Cheongju plants. It is reported that Suyang Logistics has presented a final proposal including a 150% increase in holiday transportation fees, which the truck owners had demanded. Suyang Logistics has stated that it will not hold accountable those truck owners who return to work by the 8th and will seek work arrangements for those affiliated with Myungmi International, whose contracts were terminated, if they wish to return.

Meanwhile, some union members protesting on that day jumped off a bridge but were immediately rescued by the 119 Water Rescue Team. It is reported that they jumped off the bridge around 10:56 a.m. while resisting police officers who were attempting to disperse the protest. The 119 Water Rescue Team rescued all five individuals by approximately 11:03 a.m., seven minutes later. Among the five who jumped, one was injured and transported to a hospital. The police deployed about 1,000 officers from 12 riot squads that morning to disperse the union members protesting on the bridge and to tow some cargo trucks.