President Lee Jae Myung warned on April 30 that excessive labor union demands could harm unions and other workers, urging responsibility. The remarks came amid threats of an 18-day strike by a major Samsung Electronics union starting May 21. He stressed coexistence amid AI-driven changes.
SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae, "While companies should treat workers as valuable partners in corporate management, workers and labor unions must also have a sense of responsibility."
"If certain labor organizations face public outcry for excessive or unfair, self-serving demands, it would harm not only the unions themselves but other workers as well," he added, urging solidarity with fellow laborers. The remarks followed threats by a major Samsung Electronics labor union to launch an 18-day general strike starting May 21, demanding high bonuses proportional to record revenue. Analysts predict operating losses up to 10 trillion won ($673.6 million) if the strike proceeds.
Earlier, Samsung reported its first-quarter net profit surged more than fivefold to 47.22 trillion won from 8.22 trillion won a year earlier, driven by demand for high-end memory chips for AI applications.
"At a time when the artificial intelligence transition is exposing labor and industrial sectors to fundamental change, a spirit of coexistence and cooperation is needed," Lee noted. He added, "To create a society where all workers and the public can live together, responsibility and solidarity are essential." Lee highlighted Friday's first observance of Labor Day as a statutory holiday, calling for efforts to reduce labor market disparities and ensure workplace safety.
He warned that last month's sharp producer price rise could lift consumer prices in one to two months, urging stabilization measures for agricultural, livestock, fishery products, and logistics costs. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee instructed education and justice ministries to review inappropriate legal liabilities for teachers over student field trip incidents.
