Preparation for Order to Commence Operations in Oil Refining and Steel
Emphasis on Law and Principles at Morning Prayer Meeting
Approval Rating Rises 2.5 Percentage Points to 38.9%
[Asia Economy reporters Ki-min Lee and Ju-seok Naju] President Yoon Seok-yeol has repeatedly emphasized the need to uphold the "law and principles" against illegal activities ahead of the general strike by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) scheduled for the 6th. Following the previous day's collective transport refusal by the KCTU's Public Transport Workers' Cargo Solidarity Headquarters (Cargo Solidarity), he has been in a tough stance, instructing preparations to issue work commencement orders for the oil refining and steel sectors as well.
On the morning of the 5th, President Yoon attended the 54th National Breakfast Prayer Meeting held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam, Seoul, with First Lady Kim Keon-hee. He said, "We will do our best to create a country where the spirit of freedom and solidarity breathes and where law and principles stand firm," adding, "That is the way to embrace the true vulnerable in our society and to overcome the current complex crisis." He further stated, "I reaffirm here the pledge I made when I first entered politics?to protect and uphold liberal democracy. I believe that fulfilling this mission is no different from practicing the teachings of Jesus."
President Yoon's remarks are interpreted as reaffirming his tough stance against the Cargo Solidarity's ongoing collective transport refusal, now on its 12th day, and the KCTU's general strike scheduled for the 6th.
On the 1st, regarding the dual structure of the labor market, President Yoon appealed for an end to the Cargo Solidarity's collective transport refusal, citing the protection of vulnerable workers and the triple challenges of high interest rates, high inflation, and high exchange rates. However, as the Cargo Solidarity strike caused shipment disruptions exceeding 3 trillion won in sectors including oil refining, steel, and petrochemicals, the administration shifted to a tougher response.
Especially at the inter-ministerial countermeasure meeting held the previous day, President Yoon instructed, "Prepare to immediately issue work commencement orders for industries such as oil refining and steel, where additional damage is anticipated due to the collective transport refusal." He strongly criticized, "They are depriving others of their freedom and holding the entire economy hostage for their own benefit," calling it a "serious threat to the rule of law."
It is also analyzed that President Yoon's confidence in state affairs management was restored as his approval rating rebounded amid the recent Cargo Solidarity strike, contributing to the shift to a hardline approach.
According to a public opinion poll released by Realmeter on the 5th, President Yoon's approval rating for state affairs management rose by 2.5 percentage points from the previous week to 38.9%. Negative evaluations decreased by 1.9 percentage points to 58.9%. This survey was conducted over five days from the 28th of last month to the 2nd of this month, targeting 2,507 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, commissioned by Media Tribune (97% mobile, 3% landline, automated response telephone method; response rate 3.5%; margin of error ±2.0 percentage points at 95% confidence level).
By region, approval ratings in Daegu and Gyeongbuk rose 5.9 percentage points from 44.8% to 50.7%, surpassing the 50% mark. Seoul increased by 5.5 percentage points (38.9% to 44.4%), and Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam also rose by 2.7 percentage points (41.1% to 43.8%). By age group, the 20s saw a 4.7 percentage point increase (30.3% to 35.0%), and the 50s rose by 3.8 percentage points (31.7% to 35.5%).
In party support, the Democratic Party of Korea rose 0.5 percentage points to 46.0%, while the People Power Party increased by 2.0 percentage points to 38.8%. The gap between the two parties narrowed from 8.7 percentage points to 7.2 percentage points. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.
Labor and social organization representatives from the Movement Headquarters for the Amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act held an urgent press conference on the 5th in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, calling for an end to the all-out suppression of the Cargo Solidarity and strongly condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
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