Gwangju Employers Federation: "Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant Closure... Need to Prepare Mid- and Long-Term Alternatives"

"Concerns Over Population Outflow Due to Unilateral Closure... Urgent Need for Public Discussion"

The Gwangju Employers Federation emphasized that short-, medium-, and long-term alternatives at the regional level must be prepared simultaneously in response to the closure of the Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant.

On the 26th, the Gwangju Employers Federation stated, "The key is to simultaneously pursue efforts to prevent the closure, ensure a smooth transition if it becomes inevitable, and reorganize the industrial functions afterward." The federation added, "The immediate response should be to establish a public discussion table involving Gwangju City, Buk-gu District, political circles, labor unions, and civic groups."

The Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant began operations in October 1984. As the company is currently pushing for relocation, it plans to provide welfare support for its employees, including relocation expenses, transportation subsidies, and company housing assistance due to the change in workplace location.

If the Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant is closed, it could lead to job losses and an outflow of young people from the region, making it urgent for political circles, civic groups, and economic organizations to work together to foster public discussion and develop solutions.

The Gwangju Employers Federation stressed, "There is a need to form a public consultative body. The goal should be clearly set as 'reversing the closure or partially converting operations,' and a social consultation process must be demanded for the Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant." "It is also necessary to disclose information demanding a halt to unilateral closure. Based on the fact that the Lotte Chilsung Gwangju Plant has been responsible for special functions such as pilot production of new products, small-quantity and multi-item production, and initial quality stabilization, it is essential to request a reassessment of its functions from Lotte Chilsung headquarters," the federation asserted.

Furthermore, "The local community should form a joint emergency response committee to officially demand an immediate halt to the plant's closure and guarantee a proper consultation process," the federation added. "The issue of large corporations relocating production facilities out of provincial areas should be brought to public attention, with parallel discussions on revising tax and support systems. In the event of a unilateral closure, all forms of support should also be reduced," it concluded.