Administrative Measures Including Driver's License Suspension and Cancellation Planned Concurrently
Members of the Busan Branch of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a send-off ceremony for the "Cargo Solidarity Busan Regional Headquarters General Strike" on a road near the Busan New Port Samgeori intersection in Gangseo-gu, Busan, last June. [Image source=Busan Metropolitan Police Agency]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced that it will strictly respond to all illegal acts related to the Cargo Solidarity's nationwide general strike scheduled for the 24th by apprehending offenders on site as a principle.
The Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) has announced a nationwide general strike on the 24th, demanding the abolition of the sunset clause of the Safe Freight Rate System and the expansion of vehicle types and items subject to the Safe Freight Rate System.
Accordingly, on the 23rd, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency held a countermeasure meeting regarding the Cargo Solidarity's general strike and deployed police forces to key locations such as ports and logistics terminals where illegal acts such as transport obstruction and facility occupation are expected.
The police plan to strictly respond by apprehending on site all illegal acts committed by Cargo Solidarity union members or others with the intent to obstruct the normal transportation of truck owners.
In addition, illegal acts involving vehicles will be subject to judicial processing along with administrative measures such as suspension or cancellation of driver's licenses in accordance with relevant laws.
Previously, during the Cargo Solidarity's general strike in June, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency arrested 13 union members on site for obstructing logistics transportation or official duties and took judicial action against 22 people.
A police official said, "If union members are expected to obstruct work during the general strike period, reporting to the police will result in prompt and active support by patrol cars to help ensure safe operation."
The Safe Freight Rate System is a system that stipulates the minimum transportation cost for truck owners, imposing fines on consignors if the freight paid is lower than the set standard freight. It was introduced as a three-year sunset system valid from 2020 to 2022.
On the 22nd, the ruling party and government proposed extending this period by three years, but the Cargo Solidarity has stated its intention to proceed with the general strike to demand the expansion of applicable items.
The Cargo Solidarity is demanding the expansion of vehicle types and items subject to the Safe Freight Rate System from the existing container and cement transport vehicles to five items: steel materials, automobiles, hazardous materials, feed and grains, and parcel delivery trunk and feeder lines.
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