Samsung Electronics' wage talks with its union broke down in a government post-mediation process, making a general strike on May 21 a reality. The Central Labor Relations Commission on May 20 officially announced that a second round of post-mediation at Samsung Electronics ended without agreement. The union said it would proceed with the May 21 general strike as planned immediately after the talks collapsed. The government is considering invoking emergency arbitration powers to prevent national damage, leaving a last-minute variable.

The commission presented a mediation proposal to both sides on the day. The union accepted the proposal, while management withheld whether it would accept and did not sign, the commission explained. Chair Park Soo-geun (박수근) said, "Although this mediation did not lead to a final agreement, if labor and management agree and request post-mediation, we will begin mediation at any time and support collective bargaining."

The talks were held over 3 days. According to the union, the commission presented a proposal at about 10 p.m. on May 19, and the union immediately expressed its consent. Management, however, took a position of refusal. Just before Chair Park declared a breakdown, Yeo Myeong-gu (여명구), management's chief negotiator, withdrew his refusal, and the meeting was extended to a third day.

Management still did not reach a conclusion in the extended meeting. The union said, "Even at 11 a.m. on May 20, management only repeated that 'a decision has not been made'," and added, "We deeply regret that the post-mediation process ended due to delays in management decision-making." Choi Seung-ho (최승호), head of the joint struggle headquarters, said, "If there is an additional post-mediation process, we plan to participate sincerely."

Samsung Electronics said in a statement, "The union did not bend its demand that the company provide compensation on a scale that is difficult to accept socially even to loss-making business divisions, despite the company accepting most of the size and details of performance bonuses." It added, "If we accept the union's excessive demands as they are, the basic principles of company management could be shaken."

Management repeatedly stressed the principle that "where there are results, there is compensation." The company said it judged that abandoning the principle could have negative effects on other companies and industries. Samsung Electronics said, "Under no circumstances should there be a strike," adding, "The company will not give up dialogue until the last moment to prevent the worst situation."

With the breakdown, the union can press ahead with a May 21 general strike based on the right to strike it had secured earlier. The union said it would not stop efforts to reach a settlement even during the strike. The government has previously suggested invoking emergency arbitration powers that can halt industrial action and allow direct mediation. The commission also said it plans to try additional post-mediation until the last minute.

Chair Park said, "Because there must be a settlement, I said we would respond at any time, whether at night or on holidays, if labor and management apply," adding, "We also came quite close on the content." The union again stressed that it accepted the commission's proposal and added, "We extend our thanks to the government and officials who did their best to reach a settlement in collective bargaining at Samsung Electronics."