[비즈한국] The labor-management conflict surrounding HMM011200's headquarters relocation to Busan has escalated into a legal dispute. The HMM Land-based Workers' Union announced on the 7th that it has formally filed a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor against CEO Choi Won-hyuk for unfair labor practices. The union claims that the company unilaterally proceeded with relocation procedures by holding a board meeting despite ongoing labor-management negotiations regarding the headquarters move.
The union stated, "This action by the management is a clear unfair labor practice that abandons the duty to engage in good-faith negotiations and attempts to neutralize the union." They added, "Starting with this lawsuit, we will mobilize all available means, including further legal action, to block management's unilateral push for the headquarters relocation."
This complaint is a follow-up measure to the HMM board's decision on March 30 to approve an amendment to the articles of incorporation to change the headquarters location from Seoul to Busan and to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to process this. Article 3 of HMM's articles of incorporation currently states that the headquarters is located in Seoul; therefore, a special resolution at the shareholders' meeting is required to amend the articles for the relocation to Busan. The extraordinary shareholders' meeting is scheduled for May 8.
Considering the shareholder composition, the likelihood of the motion passing is considered high. The Korea Development Bank (KDB), a major shareholder of HMM, holds 35.42%, and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation holds 35.08%. Combined, these two institutions hold 70.50%, leading to observations that the motion is highly likely to pass if brought to a vote at the extraordinary meeting.
The relocation of HMM's headquarters is also intertwined with government maritime policy. During his presidential campaign, President Lee Jae-myung pledged to relocate HMM to Busan, and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated on March 25 that "the relocation of HMM, Korea's top shipping company, sends a positive and hopeful message that Busan will become a true maritime capital," adding that he would review support measures. However, at the same event, Minister Hwang also noted that since HMM is a private company, the final decision must be made through management and labor-management consultations.
The union has opposed the relocation, arguing that it is skewed toward policy objectives rather than sound business judgment. The union has maintained that shippers and maritime financial institutions are concentrated in the metropolitan area and that the relocation could lead to the loss of key personnel and a weakening of sales capabilities. Last month, they also signaled the possibility of legal action and a general strike.
This matter has evolved beyond a simple change of business address, as government policy, the will of major shareholders, corporate management decisions, and the union's claims to bargaining rights collide within a single issue. It is highly likely that further legal actions by the union and follow-up measures by the company will continue until the extraordinary shareholders' meeting on May 8.