Minister Won Hee-ryong Announces Strong Measures Including 'Work Commencement Order' Against Cargo Solidarity General Strike

Checking Response to Transport Refusal at Uiwang ICD
"Collective Transport Refusal Will Not Gain Public Support"

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong is heading to the site after concluding the transportation measures briefing meeting held on the morning of the 24th at the Uiwang ICD 2nd Terminal in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, in response to the Cargo Solidarity's collective transportation refusal.
[Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Wanyong] Won Heeryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has announced a tough response to the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. He also indicated that if the refusal to transport and obstruction of work continue, he will submit a proposal for a work commencement order to the Cabinet meeting.

On the morning of the 24th, Minister Won visited Uiwang ICD in Gyeonggi Province and stated, "If the refusal to transport continues, we will submit the work commencement order, which is an obligation and authority granted by the people, to the Cabinet meeting," and strongly requested, "Cargo Solidarity should promptly withdraw the collective refusal to transport and engage in dialogue and negotiation."

The work commencement order is a system that forces workers to return to work when serious damage occurs to the national economy due to logistics strikes. Cargo truck drivers who receive the order and refuse it without justifiable reasons may face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Minister Won also pointed out the justification for the collective refusal to transport, which holds the public and economy hostage. He said, "Regarding the safety freight rate system demanded by Cargo Solidarity, we expressed our intention to extend it for three years during the last government-party consultation (November 22), yet Cargo Solidarity did not withdraw the collective refusal to transport without any justification," and emphasized, "Despite the difficult national economic situation with high interest rates, high exchange rates, and high prices, the collective refusal to transport, which pours cold water on the national economy, will not receive public support."

He continued, "I ask frontline cargo truck drivers not to sympathize with unjustified collective actions," and said, "We will strictly crack down on Cargo Solidarity's transport obstruction acts together with the police to ensure safe operation."

Minister Won also promised to implement flawless emergency transport measures to minimize damage to the industrial sector caused by Cargo Solidarity's collective refusal to transport. He decided to report to the logistics site until the collective refusal to transport ends and urged frontline field officials to make their best efforts, including alternative transport by rail.