Samsung Electronics Union Calls for 'Gwangju Semiconductor' Negotiations... President Lee: "Such Absurd Claims"

Samsung Union Puts Mega Project on the Bargaining Table
President Lee: "By That Logic, Is Anything Unrelated?"
Demand for Percentage of Operating Profit "Not a Bargaining Issue"
Also Instructs Labor Minister to "Set Clear Standards"

President Lee Jae-myung criticized the Samsung Electronics Super Enterprise Labor Union, which announced on the 21st that it would put the construction of a semiconductor plant in Gwangju on the agenda for negotiations, saying, "They are making such ridiculous claims," and added, "If you keep expanding issues in this way, where is the end?"

At a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on this day, President Lee stated, "Because there is a proposal to build a semiconductor plant at the Gwangju military air base, the union claims this is a subject for industrial dispute," adding, "There is now talk that, in extreme cases, if the union does not agree, the project cannot proceed, which is startling our citizens."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 21st. July 21, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, on July 13, the Samsung Electronics labor union announced that the government's 'Honam Semiconductor Mega Project' will be included as a negotiation agenda item for 2027. The union explained, "According to the revised Labor Union Act legislated by the government and the ruling party, business decisions that affect union members' working conditions have also become subject to collective bargaining," adding, "This project, which affects the workplaces and working conditions of tens of thousands, is the most representative case."

Regarding this, President Lee pointed out, "By that logic, there is nothing that can be considered unrelated to workers when it comes to the exercise of management rights by any company," and noted that the union's demands appear to be expanding too broadly.

On the union's demand to distribute a certain percentage of operating profit as bonuses, President Lee said, "I think this is more of a non-negotiable subject." He remarked, "Even the shareholders cannot decide to allocate a certain percentage of operating profit. Every workplace is now debating this, and quite a few workplaces are on the verge of striking or considering it."

President Lee stated, "Ultimately, we need to set certain standards," and, turning to Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon, said, "It is also the government's role to provide certain standards regarding labor law." He explained, "Whether an issue falls under the scope of the Labor Union Act or not has become a focal social issue, sparking disputes in all directions. Only then will social disputes be reduced."

He also advised against excessive reliance on legislation. President Lee remarked, "Ministries behave as if they cannot set standards unless the National Assembly acts," and continued, "It would be better to clearly define standards in advance through enforcement decrees, presidential orders, regulations, or guidelines. I hope we can promptly settle this within reasonable limits."

In response, Minister Kim reported, "The claims by the Samsung Electronics Super Enterprise Labor Union do not seem to align with the intent of the revised Labor Union Act," and added, "We will provide proper guidance to the union via local offices and reiterate the law's intent."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.