On the First Day of the Cargo Solidarity Strike, About 9,600 Participants... Nationwide Port Equipment Operation Rate at Normal Levels

On the 24th, when the Cargo Solidarity Union began an indefinite general strike, members of the Cargo Solidarity Union held a send-off ceremony near the Uiwang Inland Container Terminal in Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The number of participants in the Cargo Solidarity Union's general strike rally on the first day was estimated at around 9,600. The container storage rate at 12 ports nationwide remained at normal levels, and no logistics damage due to the strike has been reported so far.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on the 24th, as of 10 a.m., about 9,600 people participated in the send-off ceremonies at 15 locations nationwide, including Uiwang ICD and Busan New Port. The estimated number of rally participants at major hubs was 1,000 at Uiwang ICD, 800 at Incheon New Port, 2,100 at Gwangyang Port, 800 at Busan New Port, 800 at Pohang Hyundai Glovis, 1,000 at Gunsan Port, 800 at Ulsan New Port, 1,000 at Dangjin Hyundai Steel, and 150 at Donghae Korea Oil Pipeline Corporation. This accounts for approximately 43% of the Cargo Solidarity Union’s 22,000 members. MOLIT stated that there have been no notable incidents such as clashes with the police during the rallies so far.

The container storage rate at 12 ports nationwide was 63.9%, close to the normal level of 64.5%. Since pre-transportation was completed before the collective refusal to transport, the volume of container imports and exports from 5 p.m. the previous day to 10 a.m. on the day was higher than usual, according to MOLIT. The storage rate refers to the ratio of containers actually stored compared to the port’s container storage capacity. Additionally, major cargo owners and transportation companies completed pre-transportation measures in preparation for the collective refusal to transport, so no logistics damage due to the strike has been identified yet.

On the first day of the Cargo Solidarity Union strike, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong visited the Uiwang ICD site to inspect the on-site operation status and strongly urged the withdrawal of the collective refusal to transport. MOLIT has deployed police forces at major logistics hubs to block illegal acts such as transportation obstruction and is also implementing protective measures for operating vehicles. Furthermore, alternative transportation means, including military-commissioned container transport vehicles, will continue to be deployed. Urgent shipments are being dispatched under police protection, and logistics damage will be minimized through company-specific transportation personnel deployment and government emergency transportation measures.

MOLIT plans to hold an emergency meeting chaired by Deputy Minister Eo Myung-so with cargo owners and transportation companies to review emergency transportation measures. On the same day, Deputy Minister Eo Myung-so will also chair a situation review meeting with related agencies including the National Police Agency, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety.