World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
KORAIL workers threaten indefinite strike from Dec. 10
KORAIL workers in South Korea plan an indefinite strike from Dec.
10 unless their demands are met.
The Korean Railway Workers' Union says the current promotion system unfairly excludes field workers.
It also says staff shortages in railway operations are putting safety at risk.
The union wants changes to promotions and more safety-related staff.
A strike could disrupt KTX and regular train services nationwide, as well as subways in the capital area.
The union says the impact could exceed previous strikes after high-speed rail operator SR was integrated into KORAIL in September.
Before the planned walkout, the union will hold a rally, run a two-week safe-operation campaign and stage regional nighttime rallies.
The Korean Railway Workers' Union said KORAIL workers will begin an indefinite general strike at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10.
The union is seeking changes to the promotion system and more safety-related staff.
It said the strike will go ahead unless its demands are met.
The walkout could disrupt KTX and conventional train services nationwide, as well as subway services in the capital area.
The union also plans a rally, a safe-operation campaign and regional nighttime rallies ahead of the strike.
- Who
- The Korean Railway Workers' Union and unionized workers of Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL).
- What
- They announced an indefinite general strike, seeking promotion-system improvements and more safety-related personnel.
- When
- The strike is planned to begin at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2026.
- Where
- The union announced the plan at Seoul Station; the possible service disruption would affect rail services nationwide and subway services in the capital area.
- Why
- The union says the promotion system unfairly excludes field workers and staff shortages compromise safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The union announced at a Seoul Station news conference that an indefinite strike would begin on Dec. 10 unless its demands were met.
The union planned to hold a large-scale rally at Seoul Station.
The union planned regional nighttime rallies to begin after a two-week safe-operation campaign.
- Strike start
- 9 a.m. on Dec. 10, 2026
- Duration
- Indefinite
- Promotion demand
- Changes to the promotion system
- Staffing demand
- More safety-related personnel
- Potential disruption
- KTX and conventional trains nationwide, plus capital-area subway services
3 sources
What people are saying
unfairly