Incheon City Prepares Public-Private Joint Measures to Address Prolonged Cargo Solidarity Strike

Incheon Port Cargo Import and Export Volume Decreases by Approximately 60% Compared to Usual

On the 29th, a sign indicating a shortage of gasoline was placed at a gas station in Seoul, where gasoline supply has been disrupted due to the Cargo Solidarity strike. Among the vehicles of the four major oil refiners (SK, GS Caltex, S-Oil, Hyundai Oilbank), 70-80% are members of the Cargo Solidarity union, so it is expected that the supply of gasoline and diesel at gas stations with depleted inventory will also be affected. 2022.12.1 / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has joined forces with the private sector to devise countermeasures to minimize transportation disruptions caused by the Cargo Solidarity Union strike.

On the 1st, the city held an emergency issue meeting regarding the Cargo Solidarity Union strike at City Hall, chaired by Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok.

Attendees included officials from the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Incheon Freight Truck Transportation Business Association, Incheon Urban Corporation, and other related organizations, who shared damage reports and discussed sector-specific response plans.

Since the Cargo Solidarity Union strike began on the 24th of last month, cargo throughput at Incheon Port has decreased by about 60% compared to usual, causing damage primarily to the port industry as well as the cement, oil refining, steel, and automobile sectors.

As of 2 p.m. the previous day, four gas stations had run out of fuel but supply has since resumed.

With the strike's impact spreading to citizens' daily lives, Incheon City has become the first local government nationwide to establish a joint public-private countermeasure plan.

The city plans to continuously monitor cargo transportation-related damages across various sectors through the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and prepare emergency transportation measures in case of urgent situations.

Additionally, it will implement response measures for fuel supply and housing construction projects and establish a public communication system.

Mayor Yoo stated, "On the 30th, the 7th day of the Cargo Solidarity Union's general strike, the government and union held a second round of negotiations, but talks broke down without progress," adding, "As the prolonged strike is making difficulties in Incheon's economy and citizens' lives more apparent, it is urgent to prepare measures to minimize the damage."