Blue House Expresses Deep Regret Over Breakdown of Post-Mediation at Samsung Electronics, Urges Both Sides to Make Every Effort for Agreement

Central Labor Relations Commission Announces Breakdown of Second Post-Mediation Between Samsung Electronics Labor and Management

Blue House Spokesperson: "Consider the Potential Impact on the Korean Economy"

The Blue House expressed regret on May 20 over the breakdown of wage negotiations between Samsung Electronics management and labor union.

Kang Yoo-jung, Senior Spokesperson for the Blue House, stated in a press briefing that afternoon, "We are deeply disappointed that the secondary mediation by the Central Labor Relations Commission has ended without resolution."

She added, "Even before the final deadline, we hope that both parties will do their utmost to reach an agreement, considering the concerns this could pose to the Korean economy."

On the same day, the Central Labor Relations Commission announced that the second post-mediation attempt between Samsung Electronics management and the union had failed. Although the government proposed a mediation plan, the management refused to accept it, resulting in a failure to reach an agreement.

Samsung Electronics explained in a statement, "We cannot accept the union's excessive demands." The management argued, "The union insisted on compensation of a scale that would be socially unacceptable even for deficit-running business divisions."

Nonetheless, Samsung Electronics emphasized, "Despite this, the company will continue to make every effort to resolve the issue through additional mediation or direct dialogue with the union until the very end."

The union plans to launch a general strike on May 21. The Samsung Electronics Union Joint Struggle Headquarters stated, "The union will proceed with a legal general strike as scheduled tomorrow," adding, "We make it clear that we will not cease our efforts to reach a settlement even during the strike."

Meanwhile, the Central Labor Relations Commission plans to continue attempting additional mediation until the end. Park Soo-geun, Chairman of the Commission, said, "A settlement must be reached, so if either party requests, we are ready to respond at any time, whether at night or on holidays," adding, "We have made considerable progress on the content."

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