One-Year Restriction on Fuel Subsidies and Toll Discounts for Transport Refusal Truck Owners

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The government announced that it will restrict fuel subsidies for truck owners who refuse transportation for one year. They also stated that such truck owners will be excluded from highway toll discounts for one year.

In addition to the suspension of operation for up to 30 days, which can be imposed for the first non-compliance with the work commencement order, the government has expanded sanctions that truck drivers participating in the general strike may face. The government announced this policy during a joint briefing following a meeting of related ministers on the collective transportation refusal by the Cargo Solidarity held on the 4th, presided over by President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Measures against transportation obstruction acts will also be strengthened. The government plans to amend relevant laws to allow cancellation of cargo transportation qualifications if truck owners who are conducting normal transportation engage in acts such as text or phone threats and blocking access roads. When qualifications are canceled, re-acquisition will be restricted for two years.

The government also revealed plans to respond to logistics disruptions as much as possible. First, it will expand the scope of private vehicle paid transportation to include general cargo trucks weighing 8 tons or more. In addition to tank trucks, grain and feed transport vehicles will be included in the private vehicle paid transportation category and exempted from highway tolls.

They plan to deploy up to 50 military vehicles including heavy equipment transport trucks. The number of military-commissioned container vehicles will also be increased beyond the current 115. To prevent recurrence of collective transportation refusal, the government will promote new supply permits for transportation company-owned vehicles. Improvements to the logistics system, such as fostering railway logistics, will also be considered.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho urged, "Delaying further will not weaken the government's position," and called for "an immediate withdrawal of the collective transportation refusal and a prompt return to work."