Striking South Korean truckers shave heads in protest as talks with government fail

ANKARA (AA) – Many South Korean truck drivers on Thursday shaved their heads in protest as their nationwide strike entered its eighth day, pressing the government to accept their demand for the extension of a freight rate system that guaranteed basic wages.

Negotiations between government officials and Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union representatives failed, and drivers also defied a concerned ministry order forcing them to return to work, local media reported.

According to the South China Morning Post, many drivers have shaved their heads at union-organized rallies across the country and pledged to continue their strike.

The strike, now on its eighth day, has disrupted supply across the country.

"Gas stations in the greater capital region have only two or three days of fuel in stock. If this continues, an additional return-to-work order is inevitable," Yonhap News Agency reported, quoting an unnamed government senior official.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport issued an order, asking cement truck drivers to resume work or face penalties.

Truckers are demanding the government make a minimum freight rate system permanent, citing rising fuel prices.

South Korea's presidential office expressed concern about the situation and ordered the deployment of military vehicles to avoid a gasoline shortage.

"We are watching with concern that the gasoline supplies began to suffer due to tanker drivers' transport refusal," a senior presidential official said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid