hankyoreh

the chairperson of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU).

Regarding the new union leadership elections in Hyundai Motors that have taken place this month, Chung Kap-deuk, the chairperson of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU), one of the core unions in the Korea Confederation of Trade Union (KCTU), granted the Hankyoreh an exclusive interview during the evening of Sept. 27 at the KMWU office located in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo neighborhood.

Hankyoreh: What is your opinion about the Hyundai Motor Union’s decision to elect a pragmatic moderate for the first time in nearly 15 years? And, what are KMWU’s thoughts on eliminating the current company-based chapters and reorganizing them into regional chapters?

Chung: “This has proven that the umbrella union’s leadership of its branch unions has been ineffective for the labor movement. It is time for us to re-examine the way we organize and to decide whether we need to adopt some changes.”

This is first time that a core leader in the KCTU expressed the idea that the current operations of the labor movement could be changed.

“If we cannot build a strong industrial union, the labor movement will be unsuccessful and our members will be powerless. Moreover, if we stick to the labor movement’s current strategy of organizing, we may lose in the Kia Motor Union election.”

“The current leadership of the Hyundai Motors Union has been placed in a difficult position, but it has not done much to proactively remedy the situation. We should reflect on the mistakes labor has made and become more flexible. We should put our energy into educating union members in order to better communicate.“

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]