Illegal Acts Sanctioned, Return Encouraged... Yoon Urges Transport Workers to "Join Forces to Overcome the Crisis"

Promotion of Smooth Return Amid Withdrawal of Strike and Return to Work
Yoon: "We Must Create Space Within the Legal Framework"
Change in Stance on Facebook Post... "Strict Response" → "Please Join Forces"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the freight transport workers of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Hwamul Yeondae) of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union, who are currently engaged in a collective transport refusal, to quickly return to work, while also stating that the Cargo Solidarity's illegal actions must be held accountable "to the end."

Although there is a shift in sentiment among freight transport workers regarding the collective transport refusal, the administration is taking a firm stance against the Cargo Solidarity's illegal activities that hinder a smooth return, while requesting the freight transport workers to "join forces to overcome the economic crisis," indicating a dual approach.

On the 2nd, a senior official from the Presidential Office told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "President Yoon said something to the effect of, 'To provide stability to freight transport workers regarding their return to work, there should be some space created within the legal framework.'"

Some transport workers in certain sectors of the Cargo Solidarity have withdrawn their strike and returned to the field. While preparing legal sanctions against the Cargo Solidarity's illegal acts, the administration plans to promote a natural return to work through conciliatory gestures toward individual transport workers considering resuming their duties.

The volume of cement shipments ranged from a minimum of 10,000 tons to a maximum of 22,000 tons from the first day of the strike until the 29th of last month, but increased after the work commencement order, reaching 82,000 tons the day before. Additionally, the Seoul Transportation Corporation union, which had joined the solidarity strike, withdrew their strike the day before, and the Railway Workers' Union, which reached an agreement on wage and collective bargaining (wage and collective agreement revision), is continuing negotiations with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).

The senior official said, "The determination to break the cycle of 'unfair strikes by unions and government compromises,' which has continued through past administrations, remains unchanged," but added, "From President Yoon's remarks, it seemed he did not agree with taking an overly hardline approach since freight transport workers and workers who joined the solidarity strike are gradually returning to work or withdrawing their strikes."

President Yoon's change in stance is also evident in his social media posts. On the 24th of last month, he posted on his Facebook, "In a national crisis, holding the logistics system hostage will not be tolerated by the people," warning, "All illegal actions such as regional transport refusals and transport obstructions will be dealt with strictly according to law and principles."

However, in a post made the day before, President Yoon cited the example from over ten years ago when all citizens united to overcome the global financial crisis, and the recent efforts by the government, private sector, public enterprises, and financial institutions to boost exports, stating, "The efforts of all of Korea will surely bear fruit," and appealed, "I hope freight transport workers will end the work stoppage and join forces to overcome the economic crisis."

Accordingly, it has been understood that the temporary Cabinet meeting, which was expected to be held that morning, as well as any weekend temporary Cabinet meetings, have been tentatively decided not to be held. Instead, the administration plans to monitor the strike situation, including the Cargo Solidarity, and prepare countermeasures with relevant ministries. In particular, for the tanker sector, where immediate damage to ordinary citizens and industry was a concern, they will check supply conditions and respond accordingly. Regarding the background of this decision, a Presidential Office official explained, "We cannot let our guard down, but the situation with oil tankers is still at a controllable level."