Rail Union General Strike First Day Morning Train Operation Rate 93%... Strike Participation Rate 22%

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that as of 11 a.m. on the first day of the nationwide railway labor union (Railway Union) general strike on the 5th, the average operation rate of all trains was 93.3% compared to normal times.

On the 5th, when the railroad union went on a general strike, citizens are looking at the train schedule at Sindorim Station on Subway Line 1 in Guro-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

By train type, the metropolitan subway operated at 96.9%, KTX at 92.2%, passenger trains at 89.6%, and freight trains at 58.8%. The Ministry explained that they are operating at 123.3% of the original plan through the deployment of substitute personnel.

For the metropolitan subway, during the rush hours when passengers are crowded, operation is planned at 90% of usual (95% for Line 1 and Suin-Bundang Line), and 85% during the evening commute. The Suseo High-Speed Railway (SRT), as well as the Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX) Line A, Incheon Airport Railroad, and Seohae Line are operating normally.

The strike participation rate of the Railway Union was surveyed at 22.1%. Among 12,994 commuters, 2,870 joined the strike. This is slightly higher than the first-day participation rate (21.7%) during the strike in September last year.

Minister Park Sang-woo of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport visited Seoul Station that morning to check the train operation status and the passenger guidance plan in preparation for the strike.

Minister Park said, "The government plans to respond strictly according to law and principles against illegal acts," and urged, "Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) must also implement strike transportation measures without fail to minimize public inconvenience."

He continued, "Please secure the operation rate of trains with high demand such as metropolitan trains and KTX during commuting hours as much as possible, and make thorough preparations for alternative transportation," and requested, "Please also make efforts to maintain safety including at stations, railway vehicles, facilities, and control."