[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The opposition party met with the Cargo Solidarity, which is on a general strike, and emphasized that they will pass legislation to abolish the sunset clause of the Cargo Safety Freight Rate System and to expand the scope of safety freight items.
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a "Meeting for the Expansion of the Safety Freight Rate System" at the National Assembly on the 25th, stating, "This strike by the Cargo Solidarity was virtually a predictable strike," and added, "It is because the Yoon Suk-yeol administration did not keep its promises with the Cargo Solidarity. The government boasted but then rejected the spirit of the agreement, saying that expanding the items was inappropriate."
Earlier, the government proposed extending the safety freight rate system for three years, but the Cargo Solidarity rejected this and went on strike on the 24th to enforce their demands. Regarding this, Floor Leader Park said, "The decision by the ruling party and government to extend for three years is merely a half-hearted extension without prior discussion," and criticized, "A stopgap measure announced just the day before cannot work."
He urged, "The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should stop delaying and come to the table with life and safety as the top priority," adding, "If it is extended rather than abolished, social conflicts will arise every time the deadline approaches."
The Democratic Party had previously selected the abolition of the sunset clause and the expansion of items in the safety freight rate system as legislative tasks. Floor Leader Park said, "The Democratic Party will strive to establish the safety freight rate system through abolition and item expansion," and added, "We will steadily push forward the Cargo Transport Business Act, which was proposed in June."
On the same day, party leader Lee Jae-myung also emphasized at the party's Supreme Council meeting, "The Cargo Solidarity went on a general strike yesterday," and stressed, "The government needs to take a proactive and progressive attitude for a smooth resolution of the situation." Lee said, "The government must take responsibility and engage in adjustment and mediation," and added, "The Democratic Party will accelerate institutional improvements at the National Assembly level. We will do our best for the prompt passage of related bills currently pending."
Oh Young-hwan, floor spokesperson, said at a briefing after the meeting, "Our party has just submitted a proposal for a three-year extension and expansion of five items, led by Representative Choi In-ho, the opposition party's ranking member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and the Policy Committee has officially taken a position to expand about three items," adding, "Next week, we plan to strongly demand the People Power Party to submit the related bills to the Land Committee and discuss them quickly."
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