Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06SEOUL2596, LABOR STRIKE SEASON IN KOREA: WINDS OF CHANGE?

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06SEOUL2596.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06SEOUL2596 2006-08-02 01:19 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Seoul
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #2596/01 2140119
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020119Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9450
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1032
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1109
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUALSFJ/COMUSJAPAN YOKOTA AB JA
RHMFIUU/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR
RHMFIUU/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR
RHMFIUU/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP//
UNCLAS SEOUL 002596 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB ECON ETRD PGOV KS
SUBJECT: LABOR STRIKE SEASON IN KOREA: WINDS OF CHANGE? 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  (U) As part of an annual ritual, labor unions throughout 
Korea are pressing their employers for concessions. Strikes 
and threats of strikes are affecting many key areas of 
industry ranging from the largest steel manufacturer (POSCO) 
to the Korean Stock Exchange (KRX). Although these strikes 
are not a new phenomenon, they draw greater international 
attention in light of the ongoing KORUS FTA negotiations and 
because of Korea's desire to portray itself as fertile ground 
for foreign investment.  This cable provides an overview of 
the more prominent labor actions in the weeks leading up to 
the annual summer vacation, noting that strike activity 
appears to be on the decline. END SUMMARY. 
 
HYUNDAI MOTORS 
-------------- 
 
2.  (U) Beginning on June 26 as a work slow-down initiative, 
unionized workers at Hyundai Motor stopped working for as 
many as 6 hours a day, demanding a 9.1 percent pay increase 
and better working conditions.  After a month of failed 
negotiations, representatives from the two sides reached a 
last-hour deal on the eve of the summer vacation season and 
with the threat of a full-scale strike looming.  Most 
estimates place Hyundai's losses as a result of the work 
slow-down and loss of exports in the range of 1.3 billion 
dollars.  (NOTE: In past years, workers have worked 
additional hours before and after strikes to make up for lost 
production thereby avoiding long-term impacts on sales and 
production. END NOTE.)  The Financial Times noted that labor 
unrest has been cited as one of the biggest issues preventing 
Hyundai from joining the ranks of top global carmakers.  This 
year's strike marks the 12th straight year of strikes for the 
company. 
 
POSCO 
----- 
 
3.  (U) Located in Pohang, North Kyongsang Province, POSCO is 
Korea's largest steel manufacturer and the 4th largest 
producer in the world.  On July 13, approximately 2,000 
construction workers occupied POSCO's headquarters after 
negotiations with POSCO's subcontracting companies failed to 
yield desired concessions.  The workers refused to negotiate 
directly with the Pohang Construction Companies, the direct 
employer of the workers, citing complex subcontracting 
policies that limit POSCO's involvement and responsibility 
for the working-level employees. 
 
4.  (U) Given that there is not a direct connection between 
the construction workers and POSCO, President Roh deemed the 
occupation illegal and threatened to use force to remove the 
occupants.  In light of the aftermath of a similar "illegal 
strike" by the Korea Rail Workers Union where the union was 
fined an estimated 2.4 million dollars, workers decided to 
depart the POSCO headquarters without further clashes with 
police. 
 
STICKS TO CARROTS 
----------------- 
 
5.  (U) In addition to Hyundai Motors and POSCO, the Korean 
Stock Exchange (KRX) and Kia Motors have also faced labor 
strikes in recent weeks.  Noticeably absent from the list of 
striking unions is Hyundai Heavy Industries which has avoided 
strikes for the 12th straight year.  Using carrots rather 
than sticks has allowed Hyundai Heavy Industries to keep 
employees happy and keep production going.  In a press 
statement on July 25, Labor Minister Lee Sang-soo said in 
reference to the age-old practice of striking to gain more 
power, "This is a culture we should overcome."  Reports also 
indicate that workers at both Hyundai Heavy Industries and 
Hyundai Motors both received comparable compensation packages 
with the difference being the high price of lost production 
that Hyundai Motors paid to reach the same result as its 
brother company. 
 
OUTLOOK 
------- 
 
6.  (U) Although studies by the Korea Labor Institute show 
the days lost to labor unrest are on the decline (from 144 
lost days per 1000 wage workers in 2000 to 81 days in 2004), 
foreign investors and experts still consider Korea as having 
some of the world's most hostile workers.  As Korea continues 
to strive for greater globalization, they are more sensitive 
to how their markets are perceived by the outside world. 
 
7.  (U) Labor unions at major automakers and steelmakers 
recently voted to combine under a single industrial union to 
carry more weight into bargaining and striking situations; 
further strengthening the position of labor unions.  Starting 
in 2007, more than one labor union will be allowed in each 
workplace thereby increasing the potential for employers to 
face strikes on multiple fronts in next summer's wage 
negotiation season. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
8.  (U) The two largest trade unions in Korea, the Korean 
Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of 
Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) are diverging in their tactics as 
well.  While KCTU sticks to hard-line measures, FKTU recently 
signed an agreement to cooperate with the Korea Trade and 
Investment Promotion Agency to help attract foreign 
investment.  Following the current season of labor struggles, 
both unions will need to work hard to convince the public as 
well as their own members that the costs of striking yield a 
satisfactory outcome, since local businesses and communities 
were also adversely affected by production stoppages. 
YUN