Strike by Railway Workers’ Union Showing No Sign of Settlement

The general strike by the Korean Railway Workers’ Union entered its 10th day on December 18, exacerbating passenger and logistics transport problems. The operations of the subways in the metropolitan area and the KTX railway have been reduced, and the Korean Cargo Workers’ Union decided to refuse the alternative transport of rail cargo.

The government and KORAIL are putting greater pressure on those participating in the strike, requesting arrest warrants and launching disciplinary proceedings against the leaders. In response, the Korean Railway Workers’ Union visited Seoul for a large-scale rally on December 19. In addition, the Korean Cargo Workers’ Union held a press conference at the Uiwang Inland Container Depot to announce the it refuses rail-based cargo transport altogether. 

With the strike by the Korean Railway Workers’ Union continuing for a record-long period, the operating rate of cargo trains is now standing at just 30% of the average. Under the circumstances, the announcement by the 12,000 workers in the Korean Cargo Workers’ Union is expected to aggravate the transport problem for this weekend and later.