South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Sunday the government will pursue all options, including emergency arbitration, to avoid a labour strike at Samsung Electronics, the country's largest employer, and minimize damage if one occurs.
Samsung accounts for nearly a quarter of South Korea's exports.
Kim warned that just one day of suspension at Samsung's semiconductor factory could cause direct losses of up to 1 trillion won ($667.68 million).
“What is more concerning is that a temporary pause on semiconductor manufacturing lines leads to months of inactivity,” Kim said.
Emergency arbitration orders, which prohibit industrial action for 30 days, are rarely used but could be invoked if the dispute threatens the economy. The union said it would negotiate in good faith.
