"'Approval Ratings Are Not a Means'... Opposition Proposes Mediation for Cargo Solidarity Strike Crisis"

"Yoon: Approaching from Prosecutor General's Perspective Won't Solve It"
"National Assembly Must Also Play a Role"... Proposes Mediation at a Higher Level

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed mediation at the level of floor leaders or policy committee chairs of both parties regarding the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters strike, which has entered its 13th day. Park said, "The government using the Cargo Solidarity strike as a means to raise approval ratings will not lead to a solution," and emphasized the need to start consultations at the ruling and opposition party level.

At the floor countermeasure meeting on the 6th, Park urged, "I call on both the government and Cargo Solidarity to come to the negotiation table with a progressive stance," regarding the strike. He added, "In a situation where the government's attitude and ability to resolve the issue are insufficient, the National Assembly must also find its role." He further proposed, "If the floor managers of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from both parties find it difficult to mediate any longer, I suggest that the floor leaders or policy committee chairs of both parties immediately step in to mediate for an early resolution."

He stated, "A strong confrontation is not a fundamental solution," and regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol, said, "Approaching the issue from the perspective of a prosecutor general will not resolve the situation." He continued, "Do not use this as a means to raise approval ratings immediately, but look at the problem from the president’s perspective that encompasses national governance," and urged, "The government must immediately restart the negotiation table to resolve the issue."

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Labor and social organization representatives, including 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 crackdown on the Cargo Solidarity and strongly condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He mentioned, "The Democratic Party has proposed a '3 plus 3' plan: a three-year extension of the safe freight rate sunset clause and expansion of the applicable items by three," adding, "We will do our best with a more open mind for an early resolution of the situation."

Regarding the budget bill, he criticized it as a ‘Yoonism budget’ without livelihood concerns. Park said, "I looked into it after hearing that the government reduced wasteful spending, but only livelihood budgets such as those for low-income housing vulnerable groups, youth Tomorrow Filling Deduction, and public senior jobs were cut one after another," calling it "a selfish budget full of 'Yoonism' (尹心, referring to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s intentions) with no consideration for ordinary people." He added, "If the government and ruling party understand even a little of the public’s burning frustration, they should stop the political strategy of linking the budget bill to the dismissal of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min."

Regarding the arrest of former Blue House National Security Office chief Seo Hoon in connection with the 'West Sea Public Official Shooting Incident,' he called it "a clear political repression." Park emphasized, "The claim by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and prosecution about the deletion of classified documents was already exposed as false during the National Assembly audit, and the parroting accusation of defection to North Korea has long lost credibility," adding, "'Seo Hoon’s arrest and investigation' is a typical political retaliation by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, determined to damage and destroy the previous government by fabricating baseless charges."

He concluded, "The killing of former President Moon Jae-in and Representative Lee Jae-myung, who are eyesores to President Yoon, is the only national policy of the Yoon administration," and stated, "The Democratic Party will fight alongside the people against the regime’s disgraceful political retaliation."