Labor Ministry Urges Dialogue Amid Samsung Strike Threat, Focuses on New Law

Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor convened a nationwide meeting of its regional directors on May 7, 2026, to address pressing labor-management issues, including the recent strike threat at Samsung Electronics. The meeting, chaired by Minister Kim Young-hoon, also focused on strategies for the smooth implementation of amendments to the Labor Union Act.

During the meeting, Minister Kim emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating genuine dialogue between Samsung Electronics’ management and its labor union. While acknowledging the significant contributions of workers to Samsung’s global success and respecting their legitimate rights, the Minister also highlighted the efforts of numerous partner companies, government support, research and development investments, and the crucial cooperation of local residents for power supply, particularly vital for the semiconductor industry. He urged both parties to engage in sincere discussions to resolve their differences swiftly, pledging the government’s full support to promote effective negotiations.

A key agenda item was the on-site implementation of the amended Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act. These revisions, which have been a subject of significant public debate in Korea, aim to clarify the scope of “employer” and “labor unions” in negotiations, potentially broadening the parties involved in collective bargaining and adjusting the scope of liability in industrial disputes. The Ministry is prioritizing efforts to ensure these new provisions are clearly understood and effectively applied across workplaces, minimizing potential conflicts and promoting stable industrial relations.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to continuously monitor labor-management relations in key workplaces and assess the on-site adoption of the revised Labor Union Act. This will be achieved through quarterly review meetings and ad-hoc practical sessions. The government reaffirmed its commitment to actively support local offices in fostering autonomous and constructive dialogue between employers and employees nationwide, ensuring stability and fairness in the labor market.

Source: 고용노동부 — Original Article (Korean)