Throwing Steel Marbles and Assaulting Police... 7 Cargo Solidarity Union Members Arrested in Busan, 3 Detained with Arrest Warrants Requested

A member of the Cargo Solidarity Union is shooting steel balls at a vehicle in operation. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] On the 4th, marking the 11th day of the Cargo Solidarity general strike due to collective refusal of transportation, a total of seven union members who threatened non-union members and trucks in operation in Busan were arrested, and arrest warrants were requested for three of them.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 4th that they are investigating a total of nine illegal acts including transportation obstruction based on the 'zero tolerance principle for illegal acts' related to the Cargo Solidarity collective transportation refusal incident that has continued since November 24, and among them, seven people were arrested in four cases.

According to the police, on the 26th of last month, three union members who shot steel balls at two trailer trucks operated by non-union members on a road near the New Port in Gangseo-gu, Busan, damaging the front windshield and fog lights of the vehicles, had evidence secured through searches of the Cargo Solidarity office and vehicles.

The police obtained arrest warrants and arrested these individuals at the Cargo Solidarity rally site on the morning of the 2nd, and after investigation, requested arrest warrants on the night of the 3rd on charges of 'driver injury under the Special Act' and 'special property damage.'

Additionally, on the morning of November 29 near the New Port, one union member who threw a lighter at a trailer operated by a non-union member and two union members who sprayed water and pushed police officers during the arrest process were each arrested on the spot for obstruction of business and obstruction of official duties and booked.

On November 30, a union member who threw a microphone toward the driver's side of a trailer operated by a non-union member near the New Port and bit a police officer's finger during the arrest process was booked on charges of obstruction of business and obstruction of official duties and is under investigation.

The police also announced that to prevent secondary harm by other union members against the non-union victims, they have provided 'smartwatches' and formed an 'Escort Rapid Response Team' to support the safe transportation of cargo by non-union members.

At an official briefing at 10 a.m. on the 4th, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "We will strictly take action not only against those who commit illegal acts such as assault and threats against non-union members and those returning to transportation but also thoroughly track and deal with the planners and leaders behind these acts."