SEOUL — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and the judiciary have both moved to check a looming strike by Samsung Electronics' labor union, scheduled to begin on May 21, calling for restraint and ensuring the continuous operation of critical semiconductor facilities.
On May 18, President Lee addressed the escalating labor dispute on social media, quoting the traditional aphorism "Gwayubulgeup Mulgeukpilban" (meaning "too much is as bad as too little, and things turn around when they reach the extreme"). The message is widely interpreted as a direct criticism of the union's demand, which includes a bonus payout equivalent to 15% of the company's total operating profit—amounting to an average of 600 million won ($440,000 USD) per employee.
"Corporate management rights must be respected as much as labor rights," President Lee wrote. "While all basic rights are guaranteed under the current Constitution, they can be restricted for the public welfare to the extent that their essential substance is not violated." Industry observers noted that the President's remarks strongly hinted at the possibility of invoking the government’s "emergency adjustment power" if negotiations completely breakdown.
While the President struck a balancing tone by acknowledging the historical concept of "labor's right to share in corporate profits"—a clause that existed in the nation's 1948 constituent constitution before being removed in 1962—his stance remained firm against disruptive labor actions. This follows his warning late last month during a senior aides' meeting, where he noted that excessive or unreasonable demands by organized labor could damage the broader workforce and draw public backlash.
Simultaneously, the business community voiced grave concerns. Six major economic organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), issued a joint statement urging an immediate invocation of emergency adjustment powers. "If the strike goes ahead, the resulting production disruptions will inflict massive damage, including the erosion of trust in the global supply chain, loss of clients, and a decline in the nation’s sovereign credit rating," the groups warned.
On the legal front, the judiciary also stepped in to mitigate potential fallout. The Suwon District Court partially granted a preliminary injunction filed by Samsung Electronics management against illegal industrial action. The court ordered the union to maintain staffing levels equivalent to "normal operations"—including weekdays, weekends, and holidays—to ensure safety, prevent facility damage, and protect semiconductor products from spoiling.
However, the court noted that the ruling does not entirely ban the strike itself, meaning the union's fundamental right to collective action remains legally intact.
Meanwhile, efforts to bridge the gap between the two sides remain deadlocked. Samsung Electronics management and the union sat down for a second round of post-mediation talks hosted by the National Labor Relations Commission on Monday, but failed to reach a breakthrough.
Park Su-geun, chairman of the commission, described the situation to reporters as "running on parallel lines," indicating no signs of compromise. The grueling nine-hour negotiation session adjourned in the evening and is scheduled to resume on the morning of May 19.
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