National Health Insurance Service Customer Center - Director Kim Yong-ik Begins Hunger Strike Over 'Union vs. Union' Conflict at the Union

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] As the 'union-on-union conflict' between the customer center union, operated by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) through private consignment, and the NHIS union reached its peak, Director Kim Yong-ik issued a statement on the 14th and took the hunger strike card.

The customer center union launched a full strike on the 10th, demanding 'direct employment' by the NHIS. However, NHIS employees are fiercely opposing this, claiming 'unfair hiring.' As the conflict worsened, Director Kim Yong-ik proposed the suspension of the customer center union's strike and the participation of the NHIS union in the office discussion council, and began a hunger strike.

In his statement that day, Director Kim said, "The customer center union is demanding direct management, conducting an indefinite strike, and staging a sit-in at the NHIS headquarters lobby, which has greatly agitated NHIS employees," and added, "The NHIS union has repeatedly requested to participate as members of the office discussion council to represent employees' opinions, but they have still not made a decision."

Director Kim expressed concern, saying, "As the director, I have made various efforts to help the two unions find a reasonable solution through dialogue, but only confrontation has deepened," and "NHIS is now falling into an inescapable trap of conflict."

He stated, "As the director and as someone who has played a role in building a welfare state, I have resolved to prevent NHIS from falling into ruin even if it means sacrificing myself," and emphasized, "I will fast and wait until the customer center union stops the strike and the NHIS union decides to participate in the office discussion council."

He further proposed, "I hope the two unions will immediately respond to my proposal to stop the worsening conflict and create a new dialogue platform."

Director Kim acknowledged, "I am well aware that there will be various criticisms about the unprecedented act of the head of the organization going on a hunger strike against the unions," but added, "As someone lacking ability, I could find no other way, and I sincerely apologize to the public for causing social unrest."

Meanwhile, customer center counselors operated by NHIS through private consignment launched a full strike on the 10th. According to NHIS, out of a total of 1,633 counselors, 972 participated in the strike.