Yoon "Preparing Work Commencement Orders for Oil Refining and Steel Industries"... Government Raises Pressure Level (Comprehensive)

Presiding Over the Ministerial Meeting on Countermeasures... "Criticizing the Economy Being Held Hostage"
Deputy Prime Minister Choo Kyung-ho: "All Preparations Complete... Will Immediately Take Action Through Monitoring"
Strict Response to Illegal Activities... Restrictions on Fuel Subsidy Payments and Toll Reductions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Bae Kyunghwan·Kim Hyewon (Sejong) Reporters] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 4th instructed, "Prepare to immediately issue work commencement orders for industries such as oil refining and steel, where additional damage is feared." This reflects the judgment to minimize the damage to related industries caused by the Cargo Solidarity's collective transportation refusal. The government also announced its position to promptly initiate the issuance of work commencement orders if concerns about a national economic crisis arise through meticulous monitoring. On the same day, the government also raised the pressure level to the highest against violent acts threatening those returning to work.

President Yoon presided over the 'Countermeasure Meeting of Related Ministers on the Cargo Solidarity Collective Transportation Refusal' at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and gave the instruction, saying, "Cargo Solidarity is now holding the entire economy hostage by depriving others of their freedom for their own benefit."

In particular, President Yoon criticized, "Illegal and violent acts are rampant, such as blocking the entry of construction vehicles like ready-mixed concrete trucks at construction sites, demanding money from construction companies, or forcing illegal hiring." He added, "The government will not compromise under any circumstances with groups that systematically commit illegal and violent acts, and will hold them fully accountable according to law and principles. If this is not done, chronic illegal strikes and the resulting harm to the public will inevitably continue to repeat."

He requested preparation for issuing work commencement orders for industries where additional damage is feared, such as oil refining and steel. President Yoon said, "Please swiftly secure alternative means such as replacement personnel for cargo drivers and the use of military personnel and equipment to minimize industrial damage." Along with this, he emphasized, "Violence and illegal acts that obstruct normal operations threaten others' property and lives. We must pursue and punish them to the end, and the government must take responsibility for protecting drivers who operate normally and those returning to work."

Regarding the general strike scheduled by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on the 6th, he labeled it a 'political strike.' President Yoon stated, "This general strike cannot be seen as representing workers' rights but must be regarded as a political strike. Taking our people's livelihood and the national economy hostage during difficult economic times makes survival even harder for unorganized, vulnerable workers and robs future generations and the public of jobs."

After the countermeasure meeting of related ministers, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho held a joint briefing and mentioned, "We have completed all preparations to issue work commencement orders for industries experiencing transportation disruptions such as oil refining and steel." He said that through meticulous monitoring, they plan to promptly initiate additional work commencement orders but have not decided on a specific timing. Deputy Prime Minister Choo added, "We monitor daily the impact of the transportation refusal on the economy and the public and consider the situation very serious. We will decide when to issue the order after observing the situation closely."

He also reiterated the strict response policy to illegal acts. Deputy Prime Minister Choo stated, "For transportation obstruction acts such as coercing normally operating drivers via text or phone calls or blocking access roads, we will take strict business measures and also cancel the qualifications of workers through legal amendments." He continued, "Reacquisition of qualifications will be restricted for two years," and explained, "Drivers refusing transportation will be restricted from receiving fuel subsidies for one year and excluded from highway toll discounts for one year."

Strict legal measures will also be taken. First, the plan is to mobilize all available police forces to establish a 24-hour full-scale response system. In particular, those who instigate or aid and abet refusal to return to transportation or refusal to comply with commencement orders will all be subject to judicial processing. Deputy Prime Minister Choo emphasized, "We will hold Cargo Solidarity accountable to the end through on-site investigations regarding unfair joint acts under the Fair Trade Act and prohibited acts by business associations."

Meanwhile, the government stated that even after the collective transportation refusal incident ends, investigations into violations of the Fair Trade Act will continue. Deputy Prime Minister Choo said, "We will take strict business measures such as arresting on-the-spot offenders for assault, threats against non-participating cargo owners, and damage to cargo vehicles."