News - World: South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol warned that the government might step in to break up a nationwide strike by thousands of unionized truckers describing it as an “illegal and unacceptable move”, disrupting the supply chain.

“The public will not tolerate taking the logistics system hostage in the face of a national crisis,” Yoon said in a Facebook message late on Thursday, noting that exports were key to overcoming economic instability and financial market volatility.

As Yoon referred to the South Korean law that gives the government the authority to force transport workers back to their jobs during any serious disruptions, saying that “If the irresponsible denial of transport continues, the government will have no choice but to review a number of measures, including a work start order.”

In South Korea, failure to comply is punishable with up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won (22,550 dollars).

According to Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong, the ministry has already begun the groundwork for issuing the order, he told the reporters on Thursday.

If issued, it would be a first-of-its-kind move to be issued in South Korea’s history.

Till now there has been no dialogue between the union officials and the government.

The country’s transport ministry said it requested talks with the union on Thursday, but the parties have yet to agree on a date.

The truck strikes that were launched on Thursday are their second large strike in less than six months seeking better pay and working conditions.

Aimed at disrupting supply chains across the world’s 10th-largest economy, at least 25,000 are on strike out of 420,000 transport workers in the country, estimated by union officials.

According to the transport ministry, about 7,700 people were expected to rally for the strike on Friday in 164 locations nationwide, down from 9,600 people on Thursday.

Source: Press TV