S.Korea orders truck drivers back to work as strike enters third week

SEOUL: South Korea ordered truck drivers back to work on Thursday, as a walkout has caused havoc in Asia's fourth-largest economy as it prepares to enter its third week.

The strike, which began on Nov 24 over minimum pay, delayed the supply of goods worth an estimated 3.5 trillion won US $2.65 billion in its first 12 days, according to Seoul's trade ministry.

The walkout has sparked concerns about the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has been the subject of the second major industrial action in less than six months.

Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho told reporters that the government decided to expand the scope of the order to restart work for transportation deniers to the steel and petrochemical industries at today's cabinet meeting.

After Seoul ordered striking cement truck drivers back to work last week, the order to around 10,000 drivers was ordered by President Yoon Suk-yeol, as their action posed a danger to the economy.

shipments of steel materials were down to about 48 per cent compared to normal levels, while petrochemical products were only 20 per cent of normal levels, according to Choo.

Our economy is facing a crisis due to the decrease in exports, inflation, and high-interest rates, and we have no time and energy to waste on unnecessary conflict, Choo told reporters.

Truckers who do not comply with the order can get jail terms of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won and have their licences suspended.