Workers at South Korea’s Hyundai Motor launched the company’s first major strike in a decade on Friday, escalating labor tensions at the automaker and its suppliers.
The walkout centers on stalled wage talks, with the union seeking higher retirement ages, protections against job losses from artificial intelligence and automation, and guaranteed bonuses. Hyundai’s employees also demand assurances that positions will be preserved as the company plans to expand the use of humanoid robots starting in 2028.
The one-day strike involves staff from Hyundai, its sister firm Kia, and multiple suppliers, underscoring broader unease in South Korea’s labor market. Partial walkouts since late July have already disrupted production, with Yonhap News estimating losses of 55,200 vehicles valued at $1.67 billion.
The union remains open to resuming negotiations but has warned of further industrial action if management fails to present substantive proposals. Hyundai said it continues to prioritize dialogue to resolve the dispute.
The strike highlights growing friction between labor and automation in South Korea’s auto industry, a sector critical to the country’s export-driven economy.
