Hanwha Ocean Withdraws Damages Lawsuit ... Governor Park Wansu Thanks for "Magnanimous Decision"

Park Wansu, Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, expressed his welcome on October 28 to the withdrawal of a 47 billion won damages claim lawsuit filed by Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) against subcontractor workers who staged a sit-in occupation at the company's workplace.

Governor Park issued a statement saying, "I would like to thank both labor and management for their magnanimous decision."

He stated, "Today marks a day when a new milestone in labor-management relations is set in South Gyeongsang Province, which has led South Korea's industry for the past half-century," and added, "With this settlement, I hope Hanwha Ocean achieves stable management and that the Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch works together to foster a sound labor-management culture."

He further emphasized, "I hope that other workplaces in South Gyeongsang Province will also use this magnanimous settlement as an example to wisely resolve conflicts and gather wisdom for mutual growth."

Governor Park concluded, "Once again, I congratulate everyone on this historic reconciliation," and pledged, "I will do my utmost to create a South Gyeongsang Province where all residents can prosper together."

Hanwha Ocean and the Metalworkers' Union Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch are holding a joint press conference at the National Assembly to announce the withdrawal of the damages claim lawsuit and the settlement. Provided by Metalworkers' Union Gyeongnam Branch

Previously, the Metalworkers' Union Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch staged a sit-in and strike for 51 days starting June 2, 2022, occupying the dock-the shipbuilding area-at the former Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Geoje plant to demand wage negotiations.

In response, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering filed a damages claim lawsuit worth approximately 47 billion won against the subcontractor union, citing significant losses incurred due to the strike, and the legal proceedings continued for over three years.

During this time, with mediation from South Gyeongsang Province and the National Assembly, Hanwha Ocean and the Metalworkers' Union Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch repeated cycles of conflict and negotiation, eventually reaching a tentative agreement in July. On this day, they held a joint press conference at the National Assembly to announce the withdrawal of the damages claim lawsuit and signed a mutual growth agreement to build new trust between labor and management.