Government Considers 'Work Commencement Order' for Oil Refiners... Military Tanker Trucks to Be Deployed Starting Tomorrow

Cargo Solidarity Strike Impact... 'Sold-Out Gas Stations' Continue in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Government Activates Emergency Transport System... Military Tanker Trucks to Be Urgently Deployed from Tomorrow
Lee Chang-yang "If Necessary, Order Refineries to Resume Operations... Exploring All Measures"

On the 29th, a sign indicating a shortage of gasoline was placed at a gas station in Seoul, where the supply of gasoline has been disrupted due to the Cargo Solidarity strike. Since 70-80% of the vehicles of the four major oil refiners (SK, GS Caltex, S-Oil, Hyundai Oilbank) are members of the Cargo Solidarity union, it is expected that the supply of gasoline and diesel at gas stations with depleted inventory will also be affected. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government is considering issuing a work commencement order to the Cargo Solidarity Union in the oil refining sector following the cement industry. In response to disruptions in petroleum product transportation caused by the Cargo Solidarity Union strike, the government has decided to urgently deploy military tankers starting tomorrow.

On the afternoon of the 30th, Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited a gas station near Isu Station in Seoul that had run out of gasoline and stated, “The Cargo Solidarity Union must promptly return to work.” He added, “We are monitoring the status of gas stations running out of fuel in real time due to the Cargo Solidarity Union’s collective transportation refusal and responding accordingly. If necessary, we will consider issuing a work commencement order in the oil refining sector as we did in the cement sector and will employ all possible measures.”

The minister’s indication of issuing a work commencement order for oil transport vehicles comes amid shortages of gasoline and diesel at some gas stations caused by the Cargo Solidarity Union strike. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as of 8 a.m. this month, there are a total of 23 gas stations nationwide that have run out of fuel. Notably, 20 of these stations are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 29th, when the government issued a work commencement order against the general strike of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Lee Kwang-jae (left), head of the Seoul-Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters, and Lee Bong-ju, chairman of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters, protested the order by shaving their heads at the rally held at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province. / Uiwang - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has stated its intention to mobilize all available means to supply fuel to the gas stations that have run out. Starting tomorrow (the 1st), five military tankers and thirteen tankers owned by the Fisheries Cooperative will be urgently deployed. A ministry official said, “Discussions are also underway to secure additional alternative transportation methods.”

Since the Cargo Solidarity Union began its collective transportation refusal on the 24th of this month, the ministry has been operating an “Emergency Situation Team for the Oil Refining Industry.” This team is composed of the ministry, the four major oil refining companies, the Korea Petroleum Association, the Korea National Oil Corporation, and the Korea Gas Station Association. The Emergency Situation Team monitors the status of shipments and receipts at key hubs and operates an emergency transportation system utilizing vehicles not affiliated with the Cargo Solidarity Union.

Meanwhile, starting from 4 p.m. today, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to provide information on the status of gas stations that have run out of fuel nationwide through the Korea National Oil Corporation’s price information service, Opinet. Opinet’s nationwide gas station price information is linked with private map services such as Naver and T Map. To prevent public confusion, the ministry has taken measures to ensure that gas stations that have run out of fuel are not displayed on the maps.

At the site of the gas stations running out of fuel, Minister Lee once again emphasized concerns about the Cargo Solidarity Union strike. He said, “We view the current situation, which could cause significant inconvenience to ordinary citizens’ daily lives, very seriously. We are closely cooperating with related ministries, affiliated organizations, and the industry, mobilizing all necessary means.”