Samsung Electronics Labor-Management Hold Second Post-Adjustment Talks...Central Labor Commission Chair: "Will Do My Best to Prevent a Strike"

On May 18, Park Sugeun, Chair of the Central Labor Relations Commission, personally participated as a mediation commissioner in the second post-adjustment meeting between labor and management at Samsung Electronics, stepping in for last-minute mediation. With a general strike scheduled for May 21, and as the conflict between labor and management reaches a critical juncture, the head of the Central Labor Relations Commission has stepped forward in full view.

According to labor sources, Chair Park attended the second post-adjustment meeting between Samsung Electronics labor and management, held at the Government Sejong Complex, as a mediation commissioner on this day. Rather than simply observing, he took a direct role as sole mediator.

Samsung Electronics labor and management met on the 18th at the Central Labor Relations Commission in the Government Sejong Complex for the second post-adjustment negotiation meeting. The Asia Business Daily

An official from the Central Labor Relations Commission stated, "Both labor and management requested Chair Park as the mediation commissioner," and added, "He decided to participate directly in the mediation."

Both labor and management regard this negotiation as virtually the last opportunity for talks before the general strike, and Chair Park’s direct involvement is seen as a reflection of the intention to reach an agreement.

Before entering the meeting room, Chair Park briefly told reporters, "I have nothing to say. I’ll see you later," declining to comment further. However, on his way to work, he expressed a strong willingness to mediate, saying, "I will do my best to prevent the (Samsung Electronics labor union) from going on strike."

The post-adjustment session began at 10 a.m. that day. Previously, from May 11 until the early hours of May 13, Samsung Electronics labor and management engaged in marathon negotiations under the commission’s mediation, but ultimately failed to bridge differences over issues such as performance-based bonus criteria, resulting in a breakdown of talks.

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