Kia Motors Union: "Ending 10-Year Legal Battle... Unpaid Wages Must Be Paid Promptly"

Supreme Court Confirms Original Ruling Partially Favoring Plaintiffs in Kia Motors 'Ordinary Wages Lawsuit'

Members of the Kia Motors Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union held a press conference on the 20th in front of the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the Supreme Court ruling on the ordinary wage lawsuit. On the same day, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling partially in favor of the plaintiffs in the wage claim lawsuit filed by Kia Motors workers against Kia Motors. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Supreme Court has finally ruled in favor of over 3,500 Kia Motors workers in the appeal trial of the lawsuit regarding ordinary wages filed against the company. In response, the labor union stated, "Now that the 10-year legal battle has concluded, the company should no longer delay the payment of overdue wages and must pay them promptly."

On the 20th, the Kia Motors labor union held a press conference and said, "We respect the Supreme Court's final ruling," adding, "The company dragged out the lawsuit over ordinary wages, which it was naturally obligated to pay, for 10 years, but the Supreme Court's decision affirms that fair compensation for labor must be provided." They further stated, "Today's ruling proves that the company's judgment was reckless."

Following this ruling, the union once again urged the company to promptly pay the overdue wages. The union emphasized, "The company, which caused suffering to union members through unnecessary conflicts between labor and management, should no longer delay payment of overdue wages and must pay them quickly," adding, "The company must make a swift decision to restore the wage system, including break times recognized as ordinary wages, to normal."

Regarding the ongoing second and third phase lawsuits (unpaid wages from 2011 to 2017) beyond this first lawsuit, the union stated, "To protect the rights of union members involved in individual lawsuits for the second and third phases, the union will strive to ensure these lawsuits end in victory," and added, "The company should also make a prompt decision to end the exhausting legal disputes and demonstrate trust to the union."

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