Yoon: "Order to Commence Work in Cement Sector Issued... Cargo Solidarity Must Return to Their Positions"

President Yoon: "No Justification or Legitimacy in Holding People's Lives and Economy Hostage"
On KCTU Solidarity Strikes in Railways and Subways: "No Legitimacy... Will Respond Firmly According to Law and Principles"
President Yoon: "Will Break the Vicious Cycle of Illegal Strikes to Prevent Burden on People... Asking Citizens for Patience"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 29th, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced, "Today, to prevent a more serious crisis that could affect the livelihood of our people and the national economy, I am compelled to issue a work commencement order against those refusing transportation in the cement sector."

Addressing the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity) of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Public Transport Workers' Union, which continues the general strike (collective transportation refusal), he urged, "Please return to your respective positions before it is too late."

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon stated, "There is no justification or legitimacy in holding the lives of the people and the national economy hostage to enforce one's own interests."

Regarding the current economic situation caused by the Cargo Solidarity general strike, President Yoon mentioned, "Logistics such as cement and steel have been halted, causing construction and production sites nationwide to come to a standstill, and our industrial base is at risk of being devastated. Even the daily lives of the people are being threatened."

On the background of issuing the work commencement order against those refusing transportation in the cement sector, he emphasized, "It is to prevent a more serious crisis that could affect the livelihood of our people and the national economy." He added, "Once the economy stops, it is difficult to reverse, and it takes great sacrifice and cost to get it back on track."

Demanding the return of the Cargo Solidarity, which is leading this collective transportation refusal, President Yoon raised his voice, saying, "During my term, I will firmly establish labor-management rule of law, and I will never compromise with illegal acts. Responsibility for illegal acts will be strictly enforced to the end."

He also promised to break the chain of illegal strikes for the citizens suffering from this situation. President Yoon said, "As we aim to set the law and principles straight and break the vicious cycle of illegal strikes to prevent the burden on the people, the public will experience considerable inconvenience and hardship," and he earnestly requested, "But I sincerely ask for your endurance."

President Yoon also expressed regret, stating, "It is very regrettable that solidarity strikes are also being announced not only by Cargo Solidarity but also by subway and railway workers." He continued, "The railway and subway unions under the KCTU, which have announced solidarity strikes, have higher incomes and better working conditions compared to the truly vulnerable workers in the industrial field, the overwhelming majority of wage workers," and emphasized, "The KCTU strikes lack legitimacy, and we will respond firmly according to law and principles."

Furthermore, he added, "The government will improve laws and systems to better support the truly vulnerable workers in the industrial field who are not organized," and "The government will put more effort into labor reforms to improve the dual structure of the labor market."