-President Yoon to Deliberate 'Work Commencement Order' at Cabinet Meeting on 29th... Signals Firm Stance on Principle
-Urges Swift Action, Asking "Citizens and Industry to Consider Ways to Minimize Damage"
[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol chaired a Cabinet meeting on the 29th to deliberate on issuing a work commencement order against the Cargo Solidarity, which has gone on strike. This decision comes as the damage to the industry and the public has snowballed, making it impossible to wait any longer.
According to the Presidential Office on the 28th, President Yoon presided over a senior secretaries meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office building that morning and stated, "Regarding labor issues, it is important to firmly establish laws and principles, whether the illegal acts are on the labor side or the management side." This was reiterated ahead of the first negotiations between the government and the Cargo Solidarity, which begins five days into the general strike. Although this signals the impending issuance of a work commencement order, the timing may change depending on the outcome of the initial talks.
President Yoon also urged, "Please consider measures to minimize damage to the public and the industry." A senior official from the Presidential Office explained, "Given the enormous damage to the industry caused by this strike, the intention is to examine the harm to the national economy," adding, "There will be no change in the principled response to actions that threaten the national economy."
This reflects President Yoon’s ‘principled stance.’ During the Cargo Solidarity strike in June, President Yoon stated, "Only by upholding laws, principles, and neutrality can labor and management autonomously accumulate the capacity to resolve their issues." Although the government adopted a zero-tolerance policy and raised the principle of compensation for damages, the situation ultimately ended with government concessions. However, since the Cargo Solidarity has now proceeded to a re-strike, the administration intends to maintain its principled position this time.
The Presidential Office is also taking a tough stance. The day before, it released a statement saying, "Given the high economic instability and the need for the government and private sector to unite their efforts, we cannot help but be concerned about the Cargo Solidarity’s collective transport disruption." It added, "As the Cargo Solidarity’s collective transport refusal enters its fourth day, damage to the industry is becoming a reality," noting, "In particular, disruptions in cement transportation have caused a shortage of ready-mixed concrete, directly impacting construction sites."
The work commencement order will be addressed at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. However, the Presidential Office remains cautious about the timing of the order’s issuance, which President Yoon mentioned on the 24th. Some expect that after deliberation at the Cabinet meeting on the 29th, a phased work commencement order will be issued against the Cargo Solidarity. A Presidential Office official also said, "The issuance of the work commencement order is being reviewed in various practical ways," adding, "It is difficult to specify the timing, and in-depth discussions are necessary."
Plans to claim damages for losses caused by the Cargo Solidarity strike are also under consideration. A key Presidential Office official stated, "If damage has occurred to government-commissioned projects due to this strike, it is natural for the government to step in on behalf of the public to claim compensation," but added, "Various options are currently being reviewed."
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