IBK Bank President Yoon Jong-won Misses Main Office Again... "Will Wait to Talk with Union"

Third Attempt Fails After 3rd and 7th Days
President Moon Supports Yoon Bank Chief
Labor Union Criticizes Blue House, President
Long-Term Labor-Management Conflict Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Yoon Jong-won, president of IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, was blocked again on his way to the head office.

Yoon, who took office on the 3rd and is on the 14th day of his term, attempted to go to the head office office of the bank in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 16th but turned back due to obstruction by the bank labor union. This is the third time his head office commute has been canceled, following the 3rd and 7th.

Two days earlier, on the 14th, President Moon Jae-in stated that the appointment authority for the bank president lies with the government and that Yoon is not a 'parachute appointment,' which provoked the union, suggesting that labor-management conflicts are likely to be prolonged.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 8:30 a.m. that day, Yoon, who arrived at the ground parking lot of the head office, approached the union side waiting in front of the back gate and tried to talk while looking for Kim Hyung-sun, the union chairman. About 100 union members, wearing black masks marked with an X, did not respond to any conversation, and Chairman Kim did not stand in front of Yoon.

A company official repeatedly urged the union chairman to come out, but the dialogue failed, and eventually, Yoon left the head office about two minutes after arriving at the company.

While moving toward the vehicle, Yoon told reporters, "I am very sorry," adding, "Many ordinary citizens, employees, and small and medium-sized enterprise customers are worried, so I hope this will be resolved quickly for the sake of the bank."

Yoon further said, "I hope we can solve the issues raised by the union together."

Regarding his willingness to talk with the union, he said, "I am keeping the channels open. I will wait."

The union maintains opposition because Yoon is a bureaucrat with no banking experience. The union refers to Yoon as the "former Blue House economic chief."

Regarding President Moon's remarks, the union rebutted on the 14th through a statement, saying, "Keep the president's promise to improve parachute appointments made during the candidacy."

Yoon is continuing his duties as president at a "temporary office" set up at the Financial Training Institute in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He also announced personnel appointments for some employees within this month. IBK Industrial Bank of Korea issued a press release the day before, stating that before conducting the regular personnel appointments for the first half of the year, personnel appointments will be made this month only for employees on leave or returning to work.

An IBK official explained, "This is according to President Yoon's instructions to minimize inconvenience to employees," adding, "Although the first half personnel appointments may be somewhat delayed due to various circumstances, the intention is to minimize inconvenience for some employees planning to take leave or return to work."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.