Seoul Subway Union Begins Legal Strike...No Commute Disruptions

Seogyo Public Workers' Union Opposes Management's Workforce Reduction Plan
Civilians Report Little Inconvenience... "It Was Like Usual"

At around 9:10 a.m. on the 24th, a subway train bound for Cheongnyangni on Seoul Subway Line 1 stopped for about 30 seconds at Hoegi Station. On this day, the Seoul Metro Union launched a legal strike in protest against the workforce reduction plan by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and management.
/Photo by Gong Byung-seon mydillon@

The Seoul Metro Labor Union has launched a legal strike in protest against the workforce reduction plan proposed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the management. However, the strike involved only some subway trains stopping at stations for about 30 seconds, so commuters reportedly did not experience significant inconvenience during their morning commute.

On the 24th, the Seoul Metro Labor Union announced that starting around 6:30 a.m., when daytime workers began their shifts, they carried out a legal strike opposing the workforce reduction by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Metro. The strike was conducted by extending the stopping time at stations on lines 1 through 8 and some sections of line 9 operated by Seoul Metro. Although it is customary not to stop trains at stations for more than 30 seconds, the union stated they would extend the stopping time generously according to regulations. In a public appeal, the Seoul Metro Labor Union declared, "We will break the long-standing practice to improve punctuality and efficiency," and added, "We will operate the subway with the safety of citizens as our top priority."

However, no significant disruption occurred on the morning commute. Around 8:40 a.m. at Dongmyo Station on Seoul Subway Line 1, trains stopped for only 10 to 20 seconds before departing. Once it was confirmed that all passengers had boarded, the train doors closed immediately. Citizens did not express any particular complaints. Kim Jeong-hoon (32, pseudonym), an office worker commuting near Gwanghwamun, said, "I left earlier than usual because I heard about the union's legal strike today, but I did not feel any confusion at all," and added, "The subway seemed to arrive on time."

On the 24th, the Seoul Metro Union launched a legal strike in protest against the workforce reduction plan by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and management. The National Railway Union also joined the struggle.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun

The National Railway Workers' Union, which includes the Korail union, also participated in the strike, and after 9 a.m., some delays occurred on certain lines. On the Seoul Subway Line 1 section operated by Korail between Cheongnyangni and Soyosan, trains stopped for more than 30 seconds. Around 9:10 a.m. at Hoegi Station on Line 1, the northbound train closed its doors and departed after 15 seconds, but the southbound train remained stationary for about 30 seconds.

However, citizens reported that they did not feel major inconvenience even in this situation. The delays occurred after 9 a.m., when fewer people are commuting, and it is common for morning trains to stop for extended periods. Hwang Hyun-woo (30, pseudonym), an office worker, said, "Morning trains are usually delayed because they have to board many passengers. I don't feel much difference from usual," and added, "Stopping for more than 30 seconds actually gave me a sense that the train was operating more safely."

Seoul Metro officials stated, "There have been no reports of inconvenience during the morning commute due to the union's legal strike this morning," but added, "Since the strike is ongoing, it is necessary to keep monitoring the situation."

Earlier, the Seoul Metro Labor Union's joint bargaining group demanded that management withdraw the restructuring plan to cut about 1,500 employees by 2026 and increase safety personnel. They have also requested a meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, holding him responsible as well.

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