Cargo Solidarity Strike Withdrawal Lowers Crisis Alert to 'Caution'... Government Disbands Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The government disbanded the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), which had been operating to respond to the Cargo Solidarity Union's general strike, on the 13th. This came four days after the Cargo Solidarity Union withdrew its collective refusal to transport. The crisis alert level for the land cargo transportation sector was also downgraded from 'Severe' to 'Caution' at 6 p.m. on the same day.

Accordingly, the daily 9 p.m. report on the response status to the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective refusal to transport will no longer be distributed. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety exceptionally activated the CDSCH and held its first meeting on the 28th of last month, the fifth day of the Cargo Solidarity Union's general strike. On the same day, the crisis alert level for the land cargo transportation sector was raised from 'Warning' to 'Severe.'

While the government had previously operated the CDSCH to respond to COVID-19 and the Itaewon tragedy, this is the first time it has been organized to respond to a strike.

The Cargo Solidarity Union launched a general strike on the 24th of last month, demanding the abolition of the sunset clause on the safe freight rate system and the expansion of applicable items. However, under the government's strong response stance, including work commencement orders, the union members voted on the 9th to end the strike.