South Korea’s labor strikes are turning into political protests, with strikes spreading from railways to private companies and school lunch programs. Following President Yoon Suk-yeol’s shocking martial law declaration and subsequent reversal, labor unions are calling for overturning the regime instead of demanding better work conditions.
The Hyundai Motor Company labor union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Union (KCTU) and its Metal Workers Union, launched a two-day partial strike starting Dec 5. Union members halted work for two hours during morning and afternoon shifts to attend a rally at Taehwagang Station Square in Ulsan.
At the rally, workers chanted slogans such as “Out with Yoon Suk-yeol’s regime.” Union leaders plan to participate in the third rally for Yoon’s ouster, scheduled for Dec. 7 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The GM Korea union, also part of the Korean Metal Workers Union, began a similar strike on the same day.
The Hyundai union’s strike followed a directive issued by the Metal Workers Union, which called on all members to strike for at least two hours on Dec. 5 and 6, demanding President Yoon’s resignation.
In response, Hyundai’s union, the largest single-workplace union in Korea with over 43,000 members, released a statement under the name of its branch leader, Moon Yong-moon, condemning the martial law declaration as an “illegal” and “a declaration of war against the people.” The union pledged to “fight to restore democracy and prevent the Yoon Suk-yeol regime’s dictatorship.”
“The union has carried out a strike even though management and the union are not engaging in wage or collective bargaining negotiations,” said a Hyundai official. “This is an illegal political strike unrelated to improving the working conditions of union members.”
Korean labor laws prohibit strikes for political purposes unless labor unions have secured the legal right to strike through mediation or other procedures related to workplace issues.
The Metal Workers Union has declared plans for an indefinite strike beginning Dec. 11. Business representatives have expressed frustration, noting that companies are left to absorb the cost of production disruptions.
The wave of strikes is extending beyond private companies. The KCTU’s National Education Public Service Headquarters, representing school lunch workers, is set to go on strike on Dec. 6. The Ministry of Education and regional education offices have scrambled to prepare alternative meals, such as bread and milk, to address a potential “lunch crisis” that could affect students nationwide.
The KCTU has launched a campaign for President Yoon’s impeachment. On Dec. 5, the KCTU created an online link that allows users to send text messages to lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), urging them to support Yoon’s impeachment. PPP lawmakers were reportedly “text-bombed” throughout the day. The party had decided in a general meeting the previous day to oppose any impeachment motion against Yoon.