Senior Official at the Presidential Office: "Still Cautious as It Hasn't Even Been a Month Since the Itaewon Tragedy"
First Facebook Message from Yoon Since Doorstepping Halt: "Cargo Truckers' Strike... 'Holding the Logistics System Hostage'"
On the 24th, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup match between South Korea and Uruguay, citizens gathered at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, passionately cheered./Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol chose to issue a warning about the indefinite transportation strike by the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity) as his first Facebook message after stopping doorstepping (brief Q&A on the way to work), instead of cheering for the 2022 Qatar World Cup national team.
Since President Yoon has sent messages of support and congratulations via social networking services (SNS) for national events or sports achievements, some have found this choice unexpected.
On the 25th, a senior official from the Presidential Office told Asia Economy, when asked why President Yoon did not send a cheering message for the first Group H preliminary match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held the previous day, "Given the ongoing sorrow and condolences over the Itaewon tragedy, it was inevitable for President Yoon to be cautious about sending repeated cheering messages for the soccer team playing three matches in the preliminaries."
The implication was that, since it had been less than a month since the Itaewon tragedy, President Yoon judged that enjoying the game with the cheering squad or sending such messages would be inappropriate.
The Presidential Office also requested the police, local governments in areas where street cheering was taking place such as Gwanghwamun in Seoul, and the Red Devils fan club to cooperate closely to ensure no gaps in safety management before the game started. In particular, safety-related departments such as the National Situation Room closely monitored the situation of cheering crowds and on-site conditions like the subway even after the game.
Instead, at 11:40 p.m. the previous day, when the second half of the match was at the 40th minute, President Yoon mentioned on Facebook that the government was considering an order to commence work in response to Cargo Solidarity's transportation strike.
President Yoon said, "While the people, businesses, and government are united and focused on overcoming the crisis, Cargo Solidarity has launched an indefinite collective transportation strike," adding, "Holding the logistics system hostage during a national crisis is something the people will not tolerate."
He also warned of government enforcement measures. President Yoon stated, "If Cargo Solidarity continues its irresponsible transportation strike, the government will have no choice but to consider various measures, including an order to commence work."
He particularly warned, "Blocking the entry and exit of other vehicles and harassing colleagues who participate in normal operations is an act of violence trampling on others' freedom," and "All illegal actions such as regional transportation strikes and obstruction of transportation will be dealt with strictly according to law and principles."
The official said, "Since it was the first day of Cargo Solidarity's transportation strike and the negative impact on the national economy would be significant if it continued, President Yoon issued the message after returning to the presidential residence from the Defense Industry Export Strategy Meeting held in the provinces."
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