As the second day of mediation by the Central Labor Relations Commission (CLRC) unfolds, attention is focused on whether Samsung Electronics and its labor union can find common ground.
The CLRC is conducting the second day of mediation talks for Samsung Electronics' 2026 negotiations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the government complex in Sejong. The meeting is closed to the public.
Prior to entering the meeting, Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the Samsung Electronics union's joint action headquarters, refrained from making any comments. Ye Myung-gu, head of the Device Solutions (DS) division's people team, stated, "We will do our best until the end" before entering the meeting room.
Park Soo-geun, chairman of the CLRC, commented upon entering the meeting that some opinions are being narrowed down, saying, "We will confirm the differences that existed this morning." He added regarding the mediation proposal, "We will assess whether a resolution is possible between the two parties and will present a proposal if it appears unlikely. However, there is still a possibility for an agreement, so we will decide after observing the situation." He also noted that a draft proposal has not yet been prepared.
The negotiations come ahead of a planned strike on May 21, following a request from Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon to resume mediation talks starting the previous day. During the prior meeting, both sides outlined their positions and engaged in discussions over key issues such as performance-based pay criteria and limits.
The CLRC believes that both sides are making progress. Park Jang-beom, a mediation officer at the CLRC, remarked, "Both parties have been proactive. We have heard enough from both sides, and we have seen some changes in the various proposals discussed, which have progressed smoothly so far."
As the meeting continues, there is keen interest in whether the two sides will reach an agreement. The CLRC plans to listen to both parties and find common ground to formulate a mediation proposal. However, if the meeting extends, it may continue into May 20. The first round of mediation held on May 11-12 also concluded in the early hours of May 13.
The government has indicated that it may invoke emergency mediation powers if the strike at Samsung Electronics becomes a reality.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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