-Yoon receives report on fuel truck drivers' refusal to drive, urges preparation for additional damage
-Presidential Office and related ministries consider expanding 'work commencement orders'
-Advisers also in war mode... "Government expects tough negotiations with unions"
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol has ordered the implementation of countermeasures against the damage to ordinary citizens caused by the Cargo Solidarity general strike. President Yoon has repeatedly stated that he will not compromise with illegal strikes, and the Presidential Office has begun discussions with relevant ministries on expanding work commencement orders.
According to the Presidential Office and government ministries on the 1st, President Yoon received a report on the nationwide solidarity strike by the Cargo Solidarity and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minju-nochong) the previous afternoon and ordered the promotion of countermeasures. In particular, President Yoon carefully checked the damage to ordinary citizens caused by tanker drivers' refusal to work and urged preparation for anticipated additional damage. A Presidential Office official said, "Reports on the (strike) situation are continuously being made through relevant ministries," adding, "We are also sharing information with relevant ministries regarding damage to the public and industries and are considering measures to respond."
At the Cabinet meeting on the 29th, where the work commencement order was resolved, President Yoon said, "We aim to uphold the law and principles and break the vicious cycle of illegal strikes to prevent the burden on the people. Although the public will experience considerable inconvenience and suffering, I earnestly ask for your endurance." This was to send a message that, while strong measures against unions are anticipated, illegal acts must be fundamentally blocked even if public damage occurs.
Accordingly, the Presidential Office has decided to adopt a de facto "war" mode against the current Cargo Solidarity strike. The day before, the Presidential Office stated, "We guarantee the legitimate rights of striking workers, but illegal actions are unacceptable." Kim Eun-hye, the Presidential Office spokesperson, repeatedly emphasized, "We will respond firmly to strikes that hold the safety of the public hostage or take jobs from unorganized low-wage workers."
As work commencement orders are being delivered to those among cement transport workers refusing to return, it was also implied that additional measures could be considered if they continue to refuse to resume work. Another Presidential Office official explained, "Various options are being reviewed with relevant ministries," adding, "Expanding the work commencement order from cement to tanker trucks is one of them." Furthermore, work is expected to begin to review the effectiveness of the key issue, the safe freight rate system.
In response to President Yoon's ultra-hardline stance, some aides who initially suggested dialogue with unions to promote mid- to long-term national tasks such as labor reform have also shifted to war mode. It is known that some aides reported variables such as the budget bill, livelihood bills, and the national investigation following the Itaewon disaster to President Yoon. There is also increasing analysis that negotiations between the government and Cargo Solidarity will not be easy. Although representatives from both sides met for the second time the day before, negotiations broke down after only 40 minutes. The government believes that if Cargo Solidarity does not withdraw the strike, further dialogue is unnecessary.
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