Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Resisting AI-driven production is futile, President Lee warns labor unions

As labor unions push back against workplace automation, President Lee Jae Myung warned that resisting AI-driven production is a battle society cannot win.

2026-01-30

Korean Supreme Court confirms Japanese company should pay $70,000 to forced labor victim

The Supreme Court on Friday finalized a ruling that ordered a Japanese construction company to pay 100 million won ($69,500) in compensation to the family of a Korean victim of Tokyo's wartime forced labor.

2026-01-30

Samsung Electronics labor union secures membership from majority of workers

A labor union representing Samsung affiliates has secured the membership of a majority of workers at Samsung Electronics, becoming the first to do so, industry sources said Thursday.

2026-01-29

Special prosecutors raid Labor Ministry as part of investigation into Coupang's unpaid severance pay

A special counsel team raided the Labor Ministry Tuesday as part of its compulsory investigation into allegations of unpaid severance pay for Coupang employees.

2026-01-27

Korea's renewed shipbuilding boom reignites grievances over subcontractor bonuses

As profits return to Korea’s shipyards after years of stagnation, so has an old fault line. A dispute over performance bonuses is exposing persistent inequalities between full-time workers and subcontracted labor that underpins much of the industry.

2026-01-26

Korean workers lose cognitive skills faster than OECD counterparts: KDI

Korean workers lose cognitive skills faster with age than their counterparts in most other advanced economies, a trend that could weigh on productivity as the population shrinks, said a state-backed think tank on Wednesday.

2026-01-16

Foreign worker postings vanishing as job market doldrums continue

As Korea’s job market downturn continues, even low-wage positions typically filled by foreign workers are disappearing.

2026-01-14

Samsung faces first-ever majority labor union as burning resentment over bonuses drives membership

Samsung Electronics faces rapid union growth as engineers express dissatisfaction over bonus structures despite record profits, potentially leading to the formation of a majority labor union.

2026-01-14

Labor Ministry investigates Hanwha Ocean over allegations of unfair labor practices, union interference

The Ministry of Employment and Labor launched an investigation into Hanwha Ocean over allegations of unfair labor practices and union interference that were raised during last year’s parliamentary audit.

2026-01-13

Gov't investigates Gentle Monster's parent company following allegations of excessive overtime, unpaid work

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched an inspection into IlCombined, the Korean eyewear company behind the global brand Gentle Monster, following allegations of excessive overtime and unpaid work.

2026-01-06