A South Korean court partially granted a request by Samsung Electronics to ban illegal strike actions at its facilities on Monday [1].
The ruling establishes a legal boundary for the Samsung Electronics Labor Union, preventing tactics that could jeopardize safety or production while protecting the workers' right to strike.
The Suwon District Court Civil Division 31 issued the decision on May 18 [1]. The injunction prohibits the union from occupying facilities, installing lock-outs, or blocking the entry of other workers [1]. Samsung sought the measure to prevent damage to safety-protective equipment, avoid product spoilage, and minimize operational disruptions [1].
While the court restricted these specific tactics, it did not fully ban strike actions. The court ordered Samsung to maintain safety-related staffing at normal levels to ensure facility security [1].
The ruling carries significant financial penalties for non-compliance. The court set a fine of 100 million KRW per union if the injunction is violated [1]. Additionally, branch heads or deputy chairpersons face individual fines of 10 million KRW each for violations [1].
The labor dispute has been marked by tension over compensation. Separate reports indicate union members have expressed dissatisfaction regarding a 600 million KRW performance-pay demand [2]. The union is led by chairman Choi Seung-ho [1].
“The injunction prohibits the union from occupying facilities, installing lock-outs, or blocking the entry of other workers.”
This ruling represents a middle-ground judicial approach to industrial action in South Korea. By banning specific 'illegal' tactics—such as facility occupation—the court protects the physical assets and safety of a critical global semiconductor and electronics hub. However, by refusing a total ban on strikes and requiring the company to maintain safety staffing, the court prevents the company from using a security crisis as a pretext to dismantle the strike entirely.
