Government Calls Talk of Emergency Mediation for Samsung Electronics Labor Dispute "Nonsense," Says "There Is Still Time for Dialogue"

[Financial News] As the second post-strike mediation between Samsung Electronics and its labor union ended in failure on the 20th, attention is turning to whether the government will invoke emergency mediation powers. Labor authorities, however, are distancing themselves from any immediate discussion of the measure. The National Labor Relations Commission, which handled the mediation, dismissed the idea as "nonsense," while the Ministry of Employment and Labor said "there is still time for dialogue," declining to give a direct answer on whether it is reviewing or will invoke emergency mediation powers.
Park Soo-geun, chair of the National Labor Relations Commission, told reporters after the second mediation session ended that when asked about whether he and Kim Young-hoon had discussed reviewing emergency mediation powers, he replied, "Nonsense. Who is saying that?" Park had personally stepped in as mediator during the three-day second post-strike mediation that began on the 18th and even proposed a settlement plan. But the management side did not accept the proposal, and the second mediation ultimately ended in failure.
Ahn Duk-geun's Communication
Minister of Trade and Industry Ahn Duk-geun speaking with executives of major petrochemical companies
The labor ministry, which had been working behind the scenes to restart the second mediation by having the minister meet separately with union and management leaders, is also taking a cautious stance on emergency mediation after the talks collapsed.
Hong Kyung-ui, the ministry spokesperson, said, "We deeply regret that the second post-strike mediation did not reach an agreement." He added, "However, as both sides have said, there is still time for dialogue. Under the basic principle of resolving this through talks between the parties, we will provide as much support as possible from the government side, regardless of form, so that a voluntary agreement can be reached."
When asked whether emergency mediation was being considered, Hong again avoided a direct answer, saying, "There is still time for dialogue. It is too early to make specific comments." Asked whether there were contingency measures in place in case a general strike went ahead, he said, "It is difficult to say."
As such, labor authorities continue to take a cautious view of emergency mediation powers. The government's emergency mediation authority, which can forcibly ban strikes for 30 days, is certain to face strong opposition from labor groups. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions have already formally opposed the government's use of emergency mediation powers. Views also appear to differ across ministries on the issue. In a public address on the 17th, one day before the second mediation began, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said, "To protect the national economy, we have no choice but to consider all possible response measures, including emergency mediation." Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan had also previously said, "If a strike occurs, emergency mediation would be unavoidable."
jhyuk@fnnews.com Kim Jun-hyuk Reporter