On the 5th, the Gyeongbuk Police conducted preventive activities to stop illegal actions by members of the Cargo Solidarity Union at the Chilgok Service Area on the Gyeongbu Expressway.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] The Gyeongbuk Police announced on the 5th that they are investigating 11 individuals in relation to the Cargo Solidarity transport refusal that began on the 24th of last month in Pohang and other areas.
A police official stated, "These individuals are being investigated for charges such as blocking vehicles when non-union members attempted to transport cargo or when cargo was being delivered in Pohang and other areas. It has been identified that some assaults occurred during the process of blocking cargo." He added, "They are members and executives of the Cargo Solidarity union and are facing charges including assault and obstruction of business."
On the same day, the police deployed highway patrol units, local police, rapid response teams, detective teams, and riot police 24 hours a day near highway rest areas, toll gates (TG), and interchange (IC) junctions to prepare for surprise highway occupations and illegal activities within rest areas by Cargo Solidarity union members.
To this end, nine 'Multipurpose Rapid Response Teams' will be operated within the riot police units, and in the event of anticipated illegal activities such as highway occupations, police helicopters will be deployed from the initial stages to ensure swift response.
Choi Jong-moon, Commissioner of the Gyeongbuk Police Agency, stated during a video daily situation management meeting with police chiefs from the Gyeongbuk region that "If the highway is occupied or traffic is paralyzed by slow driving, and crimes such as assault or threats occur against non-union members or union members who have started work at rest areas, we will respond strongly, including arresting offenders in flagrante delicto."
Commissioner Choi also emphasized, "If police escorts for cargo trucks are obstructed, all involved will be prosecuted under relevant laws such as obstruction of official duties," and added, "After the transport refusal situation ends, we will thoroughly investigate and prosecute illegal acts such as sending retaliatory text messages, instigating or aiding violations of work commencement orders, and obstructing joint government investigations."
Since the start of the Cargo Solidarity transport refusal on the 24th of last month, the Gyeongbuk Police have mobilized 47 riot police units, 10,958 officers, 252 patrol cars, and 145 motorcycles to escort 91 cargo vehicles operating normally.
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