Cargo Solidarity Union Occupies Hite Jinro Headquarters... Lobby and Building Entry Protest

At around 6:10 a.m. on the 16th, members of the Cargo Solidarity Union and HiteJinro employees were confronting each other on the first floor of the HiteJinro headquarters building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by HiteJinro

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) is occupying and protesting at the headquarters of HiteJinro.

According to HiteJinro on the 16th, around 6:10 a.m., about 70 Cargo Solidarity union members entered the HiteJinro headquarters building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. They reportedly occupied the first-floor entrance and are blocking access to and from the building. Some have climbed onto the rooftop attempting to install banners and other materials.

Due to the Cargo Solidarity's surprise occupation, some employees have been unable to go to work. There were also physical altercations between employees trying to enter and union members. The police are on site controlling the situation.

The conflict between HiteJinro and Cargo Solidarity has been ongoing for five months. About 130 truck owners affiliated with Suyang Logistics, a subcontracted freight carrier for HiteJinro, joined the Cargo Solidarity under the KPTU at the end of March and began striking. Starting with a partial strike in March, they escalated to a full strike in June. Since the general strike by Cargo Solidarity, they have continued obstructive actions such as illegally parking trucks near the factory entrances and blocking access roads at the Icheon and Cheongju plants. They are demanding increases in transportation fees and empty container charges, as well as payments for vehicle advertising, idling, and waiting costs.

Earlier, at HiteJinro's Gangwon plant, shipment disruptions occurred due to Cargo Solidarity protests starting from the 2nd of this month. Shipments are currently proceeding normally. Last month, shipments of soju and other alcoholic beverages were also halted at the Icheon and Cheongju plants due to demonstrations.