Hyundai faces renewed wage talks after 40,000 workers staged full‑day walkout

Members of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union shouts slogans next to a mock vehicle with a banner (bottom) reading ‘Defend workers’ right to survive!’ during a joint strike rally in front of the Hyundai Motor headquarters in Seoul on August 21, 2026. The union representing workers at South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor staged its first full-day strike in 10 years on August 21, after long-running wage and retirement age talks with management broke down. — AFP pic

First Published: Monday, 24 Aug 2026 6:32 PM MYT

SEOUL, Aug 24 — The union representing workers at South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor said today it had resumed wage talks with management after staging its first full-day strike in a decade.

The action at the country’s largest carmaker on Friday saw around 40,000 employees walk off the job, according to union figures, after discussions over pay and retirement broke down.

They have come against a backdrop of concerns over job security as artificial intelligence transforms South Korea’s automotive industry, a pillar of the Asian nation’s economy.

A union representative confirmed to AFP today that talks with management would restart from 2pm.

A planned four-hour walkout that day had been scrapped, but one slated for tomorrow may still take place, the representative said.

“We will decide whether to stage a partial strike tomorrow depending on the outcome of today’s negotiations,” they said.

The union has demanded a 149,000-won (RM436) increase in the basic monthly salary, a 50 per cent increase in bonuses and a hike in the retirement age.

The workers have staged a total of 60 hours of strikes this year, causing estimated losses of around US$1.6 billion (RM6.4 billion), according to calculations by local news agency Newsis.

Hyundai Motor told AFP that it could not “accept the union’s demands” without a solid legal or rational basis.

Hyundai posted record second-quarter revenue of 49.2 trillion won, although operating profit fell 20.8 per cent on-year amid weaker sales. — AFP