[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] As the Cargo Solidarity under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union (hereinafter Cargo Solidarity) is set to begin a general strike from the 24th, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun has repeatedly emphasized the policy of immediate response to illegal acts such as transport obstruction.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, through a meeting of the heads of the National City and Provincial Police Agencies, Commissioner Yoon stated, "Cargo Solidarity is announcing a forced collective transport refusal that could cause irreparable damage to the national economy," adding, "Regarding illegal acts that exceed legal limits, we plan to respond strictly without any tolerance according to law and principles under the responsible command of each city and provincial police chief."
Commissioner Yoon also said, "I hope that available personnel such as riot police, detectives, and traffic motorcycle units will be concentrated and 112 patrols strengthened to proactively prevent and block illegal acts," emphasizing, "Illegal acts involving vehicles should be subject to judicial punishment along with administrative measures such as suspension or cancellation of driver's licenses."
Following Commissioner Yoon's instructions, the police plan to concentrate available personnel such as riot police, detectives, and traffic motorcycle units at major logistics hubs including key ports, logistics terminals, and industrial complexes where illegal acts such as transport obstruction and facility occupation by Cargo Solidarity are expected, and strengthen 112 patrols to proactively prevent and block illegal acts.
If illegal acts such as blocking entrances to major facilities, obstructing normal transport of cargo vehicles, assaulting non-union drivers, damaging or arson of transport vehicles are forcibly carried out, the police will strictly respond with on-site arrests as a principle. Furthermore, they plan to relentlessly track down core ringleaders, radical actors, and their backers to take judicial action without exception.
A Police Agency official stated, "Regarding the current collective transport refusal situation by Cargo Solidarity and illegal acts occurring during nationwide solidarity strikes by labor groups, we will take all measures within the scope permitted by law and respond strictly with a zero-tolerance policy."
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