Samsung Union Threatens Strike; Korean Industry Minister Urges Mature Decision from Labor and Management
The Samsung Electronics labor union has threatened to strike over demands for increased salaries and bonuses, prompting the South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy to urge both labor and management to make a wise decision. The minister emphasized Samsung's status as a national asset and the critical importance of maintaining the semiconductor industry's competitiveness, expressing concern about the strike's impact on the Korean economy.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 17:43
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## Press Release Information
Title: Samsung Union Threatens Strike; Korean Industry Minister Urges Mature Decision from Labor and Management
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Company Name:
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Body (first 8000 characters): Central Message
(Central News Agency, Reporter Yang Qi-fang, Seoul, April 27) Regarding the Samsung Electronics labor union's demand for increased salaries and bonuses and its threat to go on strike, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang today stated that Samsung is not just a company, but a common asset of the nation, and strongly urged both labor and management to make a mature decision.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Samsung Electronics labor union is currently demanding a performance bonus of 15% of annual operating profit, approximately 45 trillion Korean won (about NT$1 trillion), and has announced a general strike from May 21 to June 7; the company, however, believes this to be an unreasonable demand, and negotiations are at an impasse.
Lee Chang-yang stated today that behind Samsung Electronics' achievements are extensive infrastructure, partner companies, over 4 million retail shareholders, and the National Pension Service holding about 7.8% of shares. He pointed out, "It is worth considering whether these benefits should only be distributed among internal company members."
He emphasized that semiconductors are not an industry where profits are made once and then it's over; it's an industry structure that requires continuous large-scale investment. "Once semiconductors lose competitiveness, it often takes a long time to recover, and in most cases, recovery is impossible."
Lee Chang-yang also mentioned that semiconductors are currently the only industry where South Korea still has competitiveness, "but the gap (with other countries) is continuously narrowing." Lee Chang-yang stated, "Under such severe circumstances, it is almost unimaginable for a strike to occur." He stressed that managers, engineers, and laborers alike all understand the importance of this industry.
He said he had no intention of intervening in labor-management negotiations but again called on both sides to make decisions that consider the larger picture. "I hope both labor and management will consider the current situation and make a mature conclusion, believing that everyone understands Samsung's position in the overall industry and should make rational decisions that take into account both the present and future generations." (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150427
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Title: Samsung Union Threatens Strike; Korean Industry Minister Urges Mature Decision from Labor and Management
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Body (first 8000 characters): Central Message
(Central News Agency, Reporter Yang Qi-fang, Seoul, April 27) Regarding the Samsung Electronics labor union's demand for increased salaries and bonuses and its threat to go on strike, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang today stated that Samsung is not just a company, but a common asset of the nation, and strongly urged both labor and management to make a mature decision.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Samsung Electronics labor union is currently demanding a performance bonus of 15% of annual operating profit, approximately 45 trillion Korean won (about NT$1 trillion), and has announced a general strike from May 21 to June 7; the company, however, believes this to be an unreasonable demand, and negotiations are at an impasse.
Lee Chang-yang stated today that behind Samsung Electronics' achievements are extensive infrastructure, partner companies, over 4 million retail shareholders, and the National Pension Service holding about 7.8% of shares. He pointed out, "It is worth considering whether these benefits should only be distributed among internal company members."
He emphasized that semiconductors are not an industry where profits are made once and then it's over; it's an industry structure that requires continuous large-scale investment. "Once semiconductors lose competitiveness, it often takes a long time to recover, and in most cases, recovery is impossible."
Lee Chang-yang also mentioned that semiconductors are currently the only industry where South Korea still has competitiveness, "but the gap (with other countries) is continuously narrowing." Lee Chang-yang stated, "Under such severe circumstances, it is almost unimaginable for a strike to occur." He stressed that managers, engineers, and laborers alike all understand the importance of this industry.
He said he had no intention of intervening in labor-management negotiations but again called on both sides to make decisions that consider the larger picture. "I hope both labor and management will consider the current situation and make a mature conclusion, believing that everyone understands Samsung's position in the overall industry and should make rational decisions that take into account both the present and future generations." (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150427
Choose to stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.
Keywords: