Hyundai, KIA Workers Stage First Full-Scale Strike in South Korea in a Decade

August 23, 2026 | 10:12 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hyundai and KIA employees in South Korea walked off assembly lines in their first full-scale strike in a decade, joining workers from supplier companies to demand better wages and job security.

Carscoops reported on Saturday, August 21, local time, that approximately 40,000 Hyundai union members were expected to strike, with some traveling to the company's headquarters to stage protests outside the building.

The one-day strike aimed to highlight demands to raise the mandatory retirement age, which currently stands at 60.

Workers are also demanding larger bonuses and better job protections against the impact of automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

This issue has gained urgency as the company prepares to introduce robots from Boston Dynamics into its factories by 2028.

Naturally, this has raised concerns that robots could eventually replace human workers in an effort to cut costs and boost productivity.

In July, the automaker announced that the Atlas robot is expected to begin operations at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America within two years, initially supporting component-sorting tasks.

However, the company anticipates that the robot's capabilities will improve over time, potentially allowing it to perform component assembly by 2030.

"This strike is about protecting the roots of Korea's automotive industry and upholding the dignity of the workforce," said Park Sang-man, Chair of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union.

The union noted that the joint strike involved employees from around 50 locations.

This strike is the latest in a series of labor disruptions that began in July, which reportedly included partial walkouts. These actions have impacted the production of approximately 55,200 vehicles, valued at over US$1.67 billion (around Rp29.47 trillion).

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