Seven in 10 people say Samsung Electronics labor union strike is inappropriate
- Input
- 2026-04-29 19:41:31
- Updated
- 2026-04-29 19:41:31
According to a survey on perceptions of the Samsung Electronics strike conducted by Realmeter on the 29th at the request of Energy Economy Newspaper, 69.3% of respondents said the Samsung Electronics labor union's demand for bonuses and strike plans were "inappropriate" because they were excessive and could undermine industrial competitiveness. Meanwhile, 18.5% said they were "appropriate" as a legitimate exercise of rights and demand for compensation.
By region, negative views exceeded 60% nationwide. In particular, 80.7% of respondents in the Gwangju–Jeolla region said the move was inappropriate, the highest share. Negative views also dominated across all age groups. People in their 60s recorded the highest rate at 81.0%, followed by those in their 50s at 71.7%, those aged 70 and older at 70.5%, people in their 40s at 65.0%, those aged 18 to 29 at 62.6%, and people in their 30s at 62.4%.
If the semiconductor production line were to stop because of the union's general strike, the biggest concern was "a decline in confidence in South Korea's semiconductor industry due to global supply chain disruptions," cited by 33.3% of respondents. That was followed by "a chain reaction of financial strain among parts and equipment suppliers, and a contraction in the domestic economy" at 25.9%, and "a widening gap with competitors such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) and a loss of market leadership" at 18%.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Electronics labor union held a rally on the 23rd at the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Campus, drawing about 40,000 people. The union said it would stage a general strike from May 21 to June 7 if its bonus demand, which calls for 15% of operating profit to be paid out, is not accepted.
ehcho@fnnews.com Jo Eun-hyo Reporter