Seoul: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has canceled his overseas business trip to address the impending strikes by subway and railway workers, the city government announced Tuesday. The decision comes as unionized workers from KORAIL and Seoul Metro prepare for walkouts later this week, which are expected to disrupt public transportation across the city.According to Yonhap News Agency, Mayor Oh's trip to India and Malaysia was originally scheduled to commence on Wednesday and last for one week. The trip was intended to include meetings with high-ranking officials in both countries to discuss various initiatives, such as attracting foreign students to Seoul. However, the planned strikes by KORAIL and Seoul Metro workers have necessitated a change in plans.The KORAIL union, representing KTX and regular train operators, intends to initiate an indefinite strike starting Thursday. Their demands include increases in pay and staff. Similarly, unionized workers of the Seoul subway system are set to stage a walkout on Fri day, seeking similar concessions. The city government expressed concerns that these labor actions could significantly inconvenience citizens who rely on public transportation for their daily commutes.In light of these developments, Mayor Oh deemed it necessary to remain in Seoul to manage the potential fallout from the strikes and ensure that adequate measures are in place to minimize disruption. The city government has committed to monitoring the situation closely and working towards a resolution that addresses the concerns of the striking workers while maintaining essential services for the public.
- September 13, 2026
