FedEx Federation "Concerns over Supreme Court Ruling... Negative Impact on National Economy"

Comment on the Judgment of Hyundai Motor Ulsan Plant Occupation Compensation Lawsuit

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) expressed concern on the 15th over the Supreme Court ruling on damages related to the occupation of Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant.

On the same day, the FKI issued a comment under the name of Choo Kwang-ho, head of the Economic and Industrial Headquarters. The FKI stated, "This ruling limits joint liability for damages caused by illegal disputes," adding, "We are concerned that it will become difficult to protect victims from joint illegal acts where individual responsibility is unclear in the future."

The FKI pointed out, "It is difficult to prove the scope of responsibility for each union member involved in illegal strikes, so the damages caused by the strike inevitably fall entirely on the employer," and warned, "This will result in restrictions on the employer's only means of response to illegal dispute actions, which is claims for damages."

It added, "As strikes become more violent and labor-management relations deteriorate, uncertainty in industrial sites will increase, leading to a contraction of domestic corporate investment and negatively impacting the national economy."

The confrontation between Cargo Solidarity Union members and the police at the Myeongchon Main Gate of Hyundai Motor Company's Ulsan Plant in June last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The FKI said, "We hope that future related trials will reflect the voices of industrial sites and adopt a careful interpretation to ensure the rightful protection of victims and the eradication of violent illegal disputes."

The Supreme Court ruled that Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant occupiers and strikers cannot be held jointly liable for damages. Instead, damages must be calculated individually according to the degree of responsibility.

The Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice Noh Jung-hee) overturned and remanded the lower court's ruling in the appeal trial of Hyundai Motor's lawsuit for damages against members of the in-house subcontractor union (non-regular workers branch).

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