Direct Impact on Kia Motors Gwangju Plant Due to Labor-Management Conflict at Howon Co., Ltd.

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Howon Branch are participating in a rally in front of the main gate of the Howon factory in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, on the afternoon of the 16th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Kia Motors Gwangju Plant has been directly hit due to labor-management conflicts at its first-tier partner company, Howon Co., Ltd.

Members of the Howon branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, demanding withdrawal of unfair dismissals and guarantee of union activities, began occupying the production line on the 16th, blocking parts production and shipment.

According to Kia Motors Gwangju Plant on the 17th, the models whose production has been halted due to the labor-management conflict at Howon are Seltos, Soul, Sportage, and Bongo Truck.

Kia Motors Gwangju Plant produces about 2,000 vehicles per day.

The Gwangju Plant operated the first shift on the morning of the day using its own stock of parts, but as parts delivery became difficult in the afternoon, operations were suspended around 3 p.m.

A Kia Motors Gwangju Plant official said, "Howon is a company that supplies important body parts," adding, "As parts supply is delayed, factory operations inevitably have to stop. We hope for smooth parts supply and a prompt resumption of production."

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