The 1987 Breakthrough: When Korean Workers Rose Up
사진: DaddyAI / Pexels
South Korea’s labor movement burst into the open in June 1987, during the June Democracy Struggles that toppled military rule. For decades, unions had been banned or co-opted under authoritarian governments—factory managers often served as “union-friendly” overseers, and any independent organizing was swiftly crushed.
The turning point came in July 1987, when the “Great Labor Struggle” erupted across the country. Workers at Daewoo Motors led the charge, forming the nation’s first uncensored union—a move that sparked a wave of strikes demanding better pay, shorter hours, and job security.
By the 1990s, unions had evolved into two dominant models:
- Industry-wide unions (e.g., the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, KCTU) that bargain across entire sectors.
- Company-level unions (e.g., at Samsung or Hyundai) that negotiate within single firms.
While both have pushed for reforms, critics argue that company unions often prioritize corporate loyalty over worker power—a tension still playing out today.
📌 Did you know? The 1987 Daewoo Motors strike marked the first time Korean workers won legal recognition without state interference, setting the stage for the modern labor movement.
Unions in Action: Real Wins—and Lingering Gaps
Unions aren’t just about strikes—they’re negotiators. Through collective bargaining, they’ve secured:
✅ Wage hikes: Between 2020–2023, South Korea’s minimum wage rose 27.4% (from ₩8,590 to ₩9,860/hour). The KCTU campaigned aggressively for ₩15,000/hour, pushing even non-unionized workers to benefit from industry-wide raises.
✅ Fighting precarious work: With 32.5% of Korean workers in non-regular jobs (vs. OECD average of 15.6%), unions pushed for the "conversion system", helping companies like KT&G convert 90% of temporary staff to full-time roles.
✅ Remote work regulations: Post-pandemic, unions lobbied for clear rules on telecommuting pay and hours, addressing concerns over unpaid overtime and blurred work-life boundaries.
Yet challenges remain. Many firms still rely on dispatched workers (temporary staff hired through agencies) to bypass union protections, and gig workers (delivery drivers, ride-hailers) lack legal pathways to organize.
📌 By the numbers: Workers in unionized firms see annual wage growth of 3–5%, nearly double that of non-union peers (1–2%).
Why Are Fewer Koreans Joining Unions?
Despite their impact, unions represent just 12.1% of Korea’s wage workers—well below the OECD average of 16% and far behind leaders like Iceland (90%) or Sweden (65%). The reasons?
1. Company Unions: Loyalty Over Power
- 90% of Korean unions are company-specific, meaning they’re often tied to corporate interests.
- Example: At Samsung Electronics, executives have historically led the union, raising concerns about independence from management.
- Result: Workers fear retaliation if they demand better conditions.
2. Exclusion of Non-Regular Workers
- Non-regular workers (temp, contract, gig) make up 32.5% of the workforce but struggle to join unions—or find their voices ignored.
- Platform workers (e.g., Coupang delivery drivers, Baedal Minjok couriers) face legal barriers to organizing, as current laws don’t recognize them as employees.
3. Government Policies: A Double-Edged Sword
- Under conservative administrations (2008–2017), unions faced heavy crackdowns. During the 2015 GM Korea strike, police used force to break up protests, and companies sued strikers for damages.
- While progressive reforms under later governments expanded union rights, legal loopholes still allow firms to disrupt strikes or fire organizers for "misconduct."
The Road Ahead: Can Unions Adapt?
The future of Korean labor hinges on three key shifts:
1. Expand Industry-Wide Unions
Only 10% of unions are sector-wide (e.g., finance, IT), limiting their bargaining power. Strengthening cross-company unions would help workers in global supply chains (like auto or electronics) demand fair wages from multinational firms.
2. Protect Gig Workers
South Korea’s platform economy employs over 1.5 million workers, yet most lack union rights. A 2022 court ruling granted delivery drivers employee status, but full legal recognition is still pending.
3. Strengthen Legal Protections
- Ban retaliatory firings: Clearer laws against firing union leaders or hiring strikebreakers.
- Expand strike rights: Reduce penalties for unions during disputes (e.g., current laws allow companies to sue for damages during strikes).
📌 Global context: In Spain and France, gig workers have won collective bargaining rights through court rulings. Korea could follow suit—but only with political will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I start a union in South Korea?
Under the Labor Union Act, 30+ employees can form a preparatory committee, hold a workplace vote, and register with the Labor Relations Commission. However:
- Temporary/contract workers may face restrictions.
- Employers often resist—document any interference and report it to the Commission.
Q2: Can my boss fire me for joining a union?
Legally, no—but loopholes exist. The Trade Union Act prohibits firing for union membership, yet companies can cite "business necessity" to dismiss organizers. Cases like the 2020 Hyundai Heavy Industries strike (where fired workers won reinstatement in court) show unions must fight back.
Q3: How effective are strikes in Korea?
In 2022, there were 102 strikes—about half the OECD average. Recent examples:
- 2023: SK Hynix strike (demanding wage hikes).
- 2021: Coupang delivery worker protests (seeking better pay). Success rate: ~30–40% reach settlements, but companies often delay negotiations or hire replacements illegally.
Bottom Line: A Movement at a Crossroads
Korean unions emerged from bloodshed in 1987, yet today’s labor landscape is fragmented and under pressure. While they’ve won higher wages and job protections, their reach is limited by company unions, gig-worker exclusion, and weak enforcement.
The path forward? Scale up industry-wide bargaining, empower gig workers, and close legal loopholes—or risk watching Korea’s labor movement lose its hard-won momentum.
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Originally covered on Daily Trend Blog
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