Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Samsung running out of options as strike looms and gov't cautiously weighs stronger involvement

Samsung Electronics is running out of time and options to prevent a full-scale strike, as negotiations with its labor union once again ended deadlocked and without an agreement — just eight days before the planned walkout.

2026-05-13

Blue House vows to support Samsung labor talks, but stays mum on invoking emergency arbitration

The presidential office threw its weight behind Samsung Electronics' labor negotiations on Wednesday, vowing to keep both sides talking before a strike deadline later this month.

2026-05-13

Samsung Electronics union 'no longer sees any reason' to negotiate with management

Samsung Electronics’ labor union warned that it is “no longer considering additional negotiations with management” until the end of the proposed general strike after talks that began on Tuesday were suspended on Wednesday morning.

2026-05-13

Gov't signals reluctance to use emergency powers to stall Samsung Electronics strike

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon signaled the government’s reluctance to use its emergency powers to forestall a looming strike at Samsung Electronics, stressing that management and labor should continue negotiations “until the very end.”

2026-05-13

Finance minister urges ‘principled negotiations’ to prevent strike after Samsung talks collapse

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol expressed strong concern over the failure of labor negotiations at Samsung Electronics on Wednesday, stressing that “the strike cannot take place."

2026-05-13

Samsung management, labor remain deadlocked over bonuses as $20B fallout looms

Samsung Electronics and its union reportedly remain deadlocked in ongoing government-mediated talks on Tuesday, raising the prospect of a general strike that industry sources warn could cause up to 30 trillion won ($20.1 billion) in losses.

2026-05-12

Gov't to create new support road map for foreign workers in first half of year

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Tuesday it plans to formulate an integrated support road map for migrant workers within the first half of this year, reflecting expert opinions gathered at various forums.

2026-05-12

Samsung management, union enter 2nd day of mediation talks to avert strike

The labor union and management at Samsung Electronics held negotiations for the second day on Tuesday to try to narrow differences over performance-based bonuses.

2026-05-12

Settle or strike

Samsung Electronics management and labor are negotiating over bonus funding and payout criteria through the commission’s post-mediation process, widely seen as the last major opportunity to reach a deal before a planned general strike set for May 21.

2026-05-11

Samsung union to walk unless 15% profit bonus, performance pay cap cut instituted

Samsung Electronics Labor Union warned that labor negotiations will fail unless the company agrees to institutionalize a bonus system that guarantees workers 15 percent of operating profit and removes the existing cap on performance pay.

2026-05-11