[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"Gyeongnam Social Integration Committee urges Hanwha Ocean to withdraw 47 billion won lawsuit against subcontracted workers”, 11 March 2025

Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering), which has been pursuing a 47 billion Korean won (approx. £29million) compensation lawsuit against five subcontracted workers for the past three years, has been urged by the Gyeongnam Province Social Integration Committee to "withdraw the lawsuit in the interest of a grand settlement."

…"Hanwha Ocean has sent a strong warning to the five subcontracted workers by continuing the lawsuit, which involves a compensation amount far beyond what these workers can possibly settle. Even if these workers are at fault, continuing with the 47 billion won claim will ultimately result in no winner," the committee said.

…In response, Hanwha Ocean stated, "Unless the legal issues such as embezzlement are resolved, there is nothing more Hanwha Ocean can do. Therefore, if the National Assembly can address the concerns surrounding the legal issues, Hanwha Ocean is willing to actively participate in the social dialogue organised by the National Assembly."

…The Daewoo Shipbuilding Subcontractors' Union (Geoje, Tongyeong, and Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Branch of the Metal Workers' Union) carried out a strike from 2 June to 22 July 2022, lasting 51 days. In response, the former Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) stated, "The strike caused losses of approximately 47 billion won," and filed a lawsuit for damages against the union members, alongside criminal charges. On 26 August 2022, a compensation claim of 47 billion won was filed against five members of the union’s executive board.