Police Chief: "Even After the Cargo Solidarity Situation Ends, All Retaliatory Crimes Will Be Prosecuted"

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, convened a video conference on the 4th with the chiefs of police departments from cities and provinces nationwide regarding the strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Public Transport Workers' Union. He is checking the response status to illegal activities by each city and provincial police department. / Photo by National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 4th, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated regarding the strike by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Public Transport Workers' Union Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity), "Even after the situation ends, all perpetrators of retaliatory crimes will be prosecuted without exception."

On the same day, Commissioner Yoon convened a video conference with the heads of police agencies from cities and provinces nationwide and instructed, "Respond strongly with on-site arrests to retaliatory crimes such as assault and threats against non-union members or union members who have started work." He also urged, "Please continue to maintain a consistent and strict law enforcement stance nationwide."

Commissioner Yoon said, "Regarding the work commencement order, not only those who disobey the order but also the executives who instigate or aid violations of the order will be promptly and thoroughly investigated and all will be prosecuted." He added, "To ensure that on-site investigations by government agencies such as the Fair Trade Commission proceed smoothly according to laws and principles, we will deploy riot police and detectives to actively support the authorities' investigative activities."

Earlier, Commissioner Yoon attended a meeting of related ministers convened by President Yoon Seok-yeol in the afternoon to respond to the Cargo Solidarity's collective refusal to transport. Afterwards, he convened a video conference with the heads of police agencies from cities and provinces to check the response status to illegal activities by each city and provincial police agency.

As of the afternoon of the same day, the police have deployed 24 police stations nationwide, 28 companies of personnel, and 2 detachments to respond to the Cargo Solidarity strike. Additionally, 41 people are under investigation in connection with 24 cases of transport obstruction, including incidents where steel balls were thrown at cargo vehicles in normal operation. The police are conducting criminal investigations for acts involving vehicles, along with administrative measures such as suspension or cancellation of driver's licenses.