BlockBeats report: On May 17, according to Yonhap News, Samsung Electronics' management and labor representatives will commence the second round of post-dispute mediation at 10:00 a.m. local time on the 18th.
Previously, the labor union announced it would initiate an 18-day general strike on the 21st, drawing attention to whether mediation could reach an agreement to resolve the dispute and avert the strike. Under the mediation of the Central Labor Commission of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, management and labor engaged in marathon negotiations from the 11th to the early hours of the 13th, but failed to narrow their differences over the criteria for performance bonus payments, leading to the collapse of talks. On the 14th, the Commission requested labor to resume negotiations on the 16th, but the request was rejected. Now, both parties have accepted the mediation request, and negotiations will resume after a five-day hiatus.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong returned to Korea on the 16th after a business trip abroad. Upon arriving at Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center, he called on labor representatives to return to the negotiating table. Lee stated that now is the time to unite our strength and move forward together in the same direction—let us once again give our all and truly take pride in being "Samsung people." Meanwhile, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-jun met separately with labor and management on the 15th and 16th to present the government’s position and facilitate dialogue.