Rising Strike Tensions in the Auto Industry... Kia Also Joins Partial Strike on the 11th (Comprehensive)

The Metalworkers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the umbrella organization for labor unions of domestic automobile companies, announced a general strike on the 11th demanding the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Following last week's strikes by the Hyundai Motor and Korea GM unions, Kia will also participate this time to add momentum.

On the 10th, the Metalworkers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a Central Executive Committee meeting at the Metalworkers' Union office in Jung-gu, Seoul, and resolved to carry out a general strike and all-out struggle on the 11th. Union members participating in the general strike on the day will attend regional rallies and engage in pressure campaigns at the local offices of the People Power Party or the regional offices of lawmakers. Then, on the 12th, expanded union executives will carry out a strike and gather in Seoul to continue the protest.

On the 4th, when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared the lifting of martial law, union members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and civic group officials held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, announcing a resistance movement to realize national sovereignty and demand President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Following last week's partial strikes by Hyundai Motor and Korea GM unions, Kia will also participate in the strike tomorrow in the form of a partial strike. Kia will conduct a two-hour strike each for the day and night shifts on the 11th, halting factory operations. The Metalworkers' Union Kia branch has set internal guidelines to participate in the expanded executive strike on the 12th and attend the candlelight protest scheduled for the 14th.

As for the Hyundai Motor union, participation in the general strike on the 11th is still undecided, but it is known that the likelihood of participation is low. A Hyundai Motor union official said, "Since the Central Executive Committee meeting held in Seoul today has just ended, we need to discuss (whether Hyundai Motor will strike) from now on."

The Hyundai Motor union had already carried out partial strikes for two hours each during the morning and afternoon shifts on the 5th and 6th. The Korea GM union also enforced a two-hour strike for both the first and second shifts on the same days. They halted factory operations under the pretext of participating in the Metalworkers' Union's rally demanding the resignation of the administration.

There are also concerns within the labor community that the recent Metalworkers' Union strike may be illegal. For a union to strike, it must go through labor commission mediation procedures and a union member vote, and the purpose of the strike must be justified as ‘improving working conditions.’

A bigger issue than the illegality of the strike is the potential impact on the domestic economy if the strike prolongs. If the political turmoil continues and the strike drags on, the export engine, which is the driving force of the Korean economy centered on automobiles, could be shut down.

The business community and related industries have urged restraint on the strike. The Korea Employers Federation stated on the day, "The Metalworkers' Union general strike could exacerbate social unrest and difficulties in the livelihood economy, so it should be restrained," and added, "We ask the labor community, as responsible economic actors, to join forces for social stability and overcoming the crisis rather than striking."