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| Prime Minister Han Duck-soo leads a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex in Sejong, June 14. Yonhap |
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called on truck drivers Tuesday to end their strike that is causing widespread disruptions in the country's logistics networks, saying their "illegal" actions cannot be supported by the people.
Han made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting, as the nationwide walkout of truckers entered its eighth day, paralyzing operations in the auto, steel, petrochemical and other sectors.
"Please keep in mind that illegal actions, such as obstruction of transportation by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, will never be supported by the people," Han said.
He noted that Korea's export-driven economy could suffer a heavy blow due to the strike at a time when external business conditions are "grave."
Thousands of unionized cargo truckers have been on strike, demanding an extension of a freight rate system that guarantees basic wages for truck drivers struggling to cope with soaring fuel prices.
The walkout has caused losses in output and exports worth an estimated 1.6 trillion won ($1.24 billion) over the past seven days, according to the industry ministry.
Citing a recent forecast by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Han said Korea's economic growth prediction has been lowered to 2.7 percent this year from 3 percent.
Consumer prices jumped 5.4 percent last month from a year earlier, marking the steepest year-on-year increase since August 2008.
Han urged officials to make efforts to promote the high-tech sector to help the nation's economy navigate through the difficult economic conditions. (Yonhap)
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