PM warns of possible emergency arbitration if Samsung Electronics strike causes damage

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Sunday welcomed the planned resumption of dialogue between Samsung Electronics and its labor union amid a looming strike, while warning that the government will consider every possible measure, including emergency arbitration, to minimize potential damage to the national economy. Kim made the remarks in a public statement addressed to the nation, as labor and management have decided to resume government-led mediation talks Monday, just four days ahead of a planned walkout. The two sides have remained widely divided over performance-based bonuses tied to the company's earnings from the artificial intelligence (AI)-related semiconductor business, and the company's largest labor union plans to begin the 18-day strike starting Thursday. "The government sincerely welcomes the decision to resume dialogue," Kim said. "Monday's negotiations are effectively the last opportunity to prevent a strike. Both labor and management must never take the gravity of this meeting lightly." Noting that a possible strike could cause serious damage to the national economy, Kim said

Original source: Korea Times