Koo Yun-cheol says Samsung strike ‘must never happen’

May 13, 2026, 10:26 am

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Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol speaks during a meeting with financial institution heads on foreign exchange market system reforms at the Government Complex Seoul on May 12. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Economy and Finance

Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, said Wednesday that a strike at Samsung Electronics “must never happen” following the breakdown of labor-management negotiations at the company.

In a post on social media platform X, Koo expressed regret that talks between Samsung Electronics and its labor union failed to reach an agreement despite the government’s mediation efforts.

“Samsung Electronics is an important company watched closely around the world,” Koo said. “Considering the current management situation and its impact on the national economy, both labor and management must continue efforts to achieve principled negotiations.”

He added that the government would continue supporting efforts to resolve the dispute through “principled negotiations” under any circumstances.

Concerns are growing within and outside the government that a prolonged labor dispute at Samsung Electronics could weigh on South Korea’s semiconductor competitiveness and export momentum.

Industry observers warn that any production disruption could affect the company’s ability to respond to rising global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors amid intensifying competition in advanced industries worldwide.

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