Regret Over Breakdown of Korail Labor-Management Talks, Implementation of Transport Measures in Preparation for Railroad Strike
On the 18th, when the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union National Railway Workers' Union began a legal strike (work-to-rule), citizens were waiting for trains at Seoul Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expressed deep regret over the breakdown of negotiations between the railway labor union, which has announced an indefinite strike starting from the 5th, and the Korail management, urging the railway union to withdraw its strike plan that exacerbates public inconvenience during these difficult times and to resolve the issue through dialogue even now.
The Ministry announced that it has activated the government joint transportation countermeasures headquarters from 9 a.m. on the 4th to prepare for the railway strike, aiming to ensure public safety and transportation convenience. The Ministry stated, "We will minimize public inconvenience by implementing transportation measures without disruption through close cooperation with related agencies, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Police Agency, and local governments."
Regarding train operation plans during the strike, the Ministry explained that railways are designated as essential services under the Labor Union Act, and a certain operation rate must be maintained even during the railway union strike. They plan to maximize train operation rates by concentrating deployable substitute personnel on metropolitan trains and KTX during peak commuting hours when demand is high.
Through this, the metropolitan train operation rate is planned to be about 76% of normal levels, and the KTX operation rate about 67% of normal levels (75% including SRT). In particular, the metropolitan train operation rate will be reduced during off-peak daytime hours with lower travel demand, while operating at 90% during the morning rush hours (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; 95% on Line 1 and Suin-Bundang Line) and 85% during the evening rush hours (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
However, during non-congested hours, the operation rate will decrease, causing longer intervals between trains, which may cause some inconvenience for passengers. It is advisable to commute with extra time or consider using other transportation modes such as buses. SRT, GTX-A, and Incheon Airport Railroad, which are not operated by Korail, will operate normally.
The Ministry also presented measures to enhance alternative transportation capacity. Through cooperation with local governments and the bus industry, they plan to secure the maximum number of substitute buses. The shortage of train seats caused by the strike will be compensated through express, intercity, and city buses, and if additional capacity is needed based on congestion monitoring, more express and charter buses will be deployed accordingly.
To minimize travel inconvenience within the Seoul metropolitan area where traffic congestion is expected, taxi services will also be increased. From 4 a.m. on the 5th, the strike start date, until midnight on the strike end date, taxis in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi areas, which were previously only allowed to operate within their respective jurisdictions, will be temporarily permitted to operate outside their business areas through mutual enforcement suspension. This is expected to allow flexible taxi supply according to demand, enabling the use of taxis from Seoul to Incheon and Gyeonggi areas.
Safety measures will be strengthened at major stations. Guidance will be enhanced at major KTX transfer stations during peak hours, and safety personnel will be intensively deployed. If necessary, police and other control personnel will be assigned to maintain safety within railway stations at levels exceeding normal times.
The Ministry urged, "We ask the railway union to withdraw the strike plan and resume labor-management dialogue even now," and pledged, "We will perfectly implement transportation countermeasures to ensure public safety and transportation convenience in preparation for the strike."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
