The government is considering convening a temporary cabinet meeting to issue an order to start additional operations against the cargo unions, which are refusing collective transportation.



Considering that the gasoline supply and demand situation at front-line gas stations has deteriorated rapidly, there is a possibility that a work start order may be issued for tank truck (tank lorry) transport drivers following cement transport drivers.



A high-ranking government official said in a press call today (1st), "The stock of gas stations in the metropolitan area remains at the level of 2 to 3 days," and said, "If this continues, additional work start orders are inevitable."



It is known that the government is currently operating an emergency supply and demand system to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply of gasoline and kerosene, which are directly related to the livelihood of the people, such as the emergency deployment of military tank lorries.



Separately, it is said that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to closely examine the oil refining-related supply and demand situation and determine the necessity and timing of issuing work commencement orders for tanker transport drivers.



Depending on the results of the internal inspection meeting, there are also observations that an extraordinary cabinet meeting may be held tomorrow at the earliest.



The fact that the rate of returning to work at the cargo union is gradually increasing after the President's Office warned that it is reviewing 'various options' is considered a variable.



The President's Office believes that as the Seoul subway labor-management negotiations have been dramatically concluded, the 'cargo union strike team' has also begun to shake.



Previously, a high-ranking official in the presidential office said in a briefing yesterday, "We are watching with concern that the gasoline supply has begun to suffer due to the refusal to transport the tanker driver."



Another official said in a phone call, "The supply and demand situation in the steel sector is not good after the petrochemical sector."



The official added that business operators who refuse to start business will be dealt with strictly, including criminal punishment, in accordance with laws and procedures.



(Photo = Yonhap News)