The escalating national general strike by South Korean truck drivers is exacerbating the disruption of the global supply chain. 

From the slowdown and shutdown of the country's ports to the shutdown of automobile factories, the impact is expanding.

According to the international transport workers' Federation ITF, since June 9, thousands of truck drivers have stopped working to protest against the cancellation of the minimum wage plan.

As drivers try to prevent the delivery of the most critical export products of the Asian country, including semiconductor chip materials and petrochemical products, the tension is increasing, which has a serious impact on the port.

This is the first large-scale strike and protest that South Korean President Yoon sik Yueh has faced since taking office. The truck drivers' Union opposes the government's rash 

repeal of the basic wage guarantee for drivers at a time when energy prices are soaring.

According to the data of South Korea's Ministry of land and transportation, about 37% of the country's 22000 truck drivers have participated in the strike.

According to the data of the Ministry of transport of the Republic of Korea on June 9, the daily container throughput of the country's 12 ports decreased by 64% compared with 

the average level in May.

The South Korean Ministry of transport said that it had held a third round of talks with the leaders of the truck drivers' Union for more than 10 hours on Saturday to urge the 

drivers to return to work, but the two sides had not reached an agreement.

South Korea is a major supplier of semiconductors, smartphones, automobiles, batteries and electronic products, and it is uncertain how long the strike will last. However, this protracted dispute will further disrupt the global supply chain that has been impacted by the COVID-19 and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Consumer inflation in South Korea is currently at the highest level in 14 years, while the slowdown in chips, petrochemical products and automobiles further threatens South Korea's exports and increases economic risks.

On Sunday, a total of 31 industry associations issued a joint statement urging truck drivers to end the strike and return to their posts because the supply chain of cement, petrochemical, steel, automobile and it parts industries is in a bottleneck.

Won hee Ryong, Minister of land and resources, said at a news conference on Thursday that steel and cement are likely to be the main victims of the strike. According to the Korean Cement Association, about 90% of the cement has not been transported out of the factory. These companies will delay the delivery until the protesters leave the factory gate.