The labor union's demand to relocate the Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant, which has been shut down due to a major fire, to the Bitgreen Industrial Complex in Hampyeong has been made official.
On the morning of the 11th, a resolution rally of union members opposing the downsizing of domestic factories was held at Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 11, the Kumho Tire branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union held a resolution rally in front of the Gwangju Plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, stating, "Given the significant uncertainty in funding and production volume for establishing overseas factories, relocating domestically is the alternative." The union insisted, "The land of the Gwangju Plant should be sold, and the plant should be relocated to the Bitgreen Industrial Complex."
The union expressed concern, saying, "Although management has mentioned the possibility of downsizing domestic factories due to financial reasons, if an overseas plant is built, the jobs of about 2,500 employees at the Gwangju Plant could be lost." They added, "At least Plant 1, which was not affected by the fire, should be operated temporarily until the relocation is completed," emphasizing that "this is the only way to resolve employees' job insecurity."
Kumho Tire union members are holding a rally to urge the normalization of the factory on the morning of the 11th at the Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
The Kumho Tire Gwangju Plant has been completely shut down for 56 days since the fire that occurred on May 17, 2025. The union is urging for the swift normalization of the plant through either reconstruction or domestic relocation.
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