Kumho Tire, South Korea’s No. 2 tire maker, which makes 65 per cent of its sales from exports, told Reuters it is cutting 15 per cent to 40 per cent of production output at its two factories until Dec 6 because the strike has disrupted shipments.
Member companies of Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said in a statement that fresh produce such as fish and kimchi had been scrapped because industrial hubs are blocked, without citing exact figures.
Exports at Samsung Electronics’ Gwangju plant, which mainly produces refrigerators and air conditioners, have been halted, although raw materials and other shipments were moving normally, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a plant official.
Samsung Electronics said it is monitoring the situation.
The government is preparing to potentially order oil industry truckers back to their jobs, the industry ministry said on Thursday, after it issued an unprecedented order to force 2,500 cement industry truckers back to work this week. As of Wednesday, 350 of those drivers had been served those orders.
Refusing to get back on the road after a “start work” order can be punished by a fine or jail time, and cost drivers their licenses.
