Samsung Electronics Negotiates Last-Minute Labor Deal: What Happens If They Strike?

Negotiators set the deadline for Samsung Electronics’ last pre-strike talks at 10 p.m. on the 19th. The Central Labor Relations Commission said it will present a mediation proposal if labor and management fail to reach an agreement by that time.

Park Su-geun, chair of the Central Labor Relations Commission, told reporters after leaving the meeting room during an evening break on the 19th, “If the vote fails today, it’s over — they will go on strike.” He added that a yes-or-no decision will likely be made around 10 p.m. and that the process should not take long.

The commission has been holding the second day of Samsung Electronics’ 2026 second post-adjustment mediation session at the Government Complex Sejong since 10 a.m. If the sides fail to reach a settlement during post-adjustment mediation, the commission will propose a compromise plan. If either side rejects that plan, talks will collapse.

The union has announced a strike beginning on the 21st. Concerned about the potential impact on the national economy, the government is also weighing the possible use of emergency mediation powers — a move labor groups strongly oppose.

President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed on the 19th to strengthen cooperation on energy, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and securing crude oil.

The two leaders met at a summit held at a hotel in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and concluded that rising global uncertainty makes closer collaboration on energy security and supply-chain resilience essential.

Concretely, they agreed to expand cooperation in the oil and petroleum products sector, including mutual supply and swap mechanisms in emergency situations. They also pledged to deepen collaboration on supply-chain issues. To ensure implementation, the two governments will broaden official dialogue channels, including launching a Korea-Japan Industrial and Trade Policy Dialogue with senior officials from both countries.

Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, issued a public apology for Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” marketing campaign carried out on the anniversary of the May 18 pro-democracy uprising. A group executive visited a Gwangju May 18 civic organization and bowed, but the group refused to meet; calls for a boycott have since spread and the backlash continues.

In a statement on the 19th, Chung said, “On the 46th anniversary of the May 18 pro-democracy movement yesterday, our affiliate Starbucks Korea ran an inappropriate marketing campaign that should never have happened or been tolerated. We deeply hurt the memory of the May 18 victims, their families, and the public. On behalf of the group, I bow and apologize.”

During a tumbler promotion running from the 15th through the 26th, Starbucks Korea used phrases such as “Tank Day” and “Thud on the Desk” on the 18th. Critics argued online that “tank” evokes the martial-law tanks that entered Gwangju in 1980 and that “thud on the desk” recalls an infamous attempt by authorities to downplay and conceal the torture death of activist Park Jong-chul in 1987 — fueling widespread criticism.