A 24-Hour Update: Turnout Surges Past 89% as Excluded Union Seeks Court Order to Halt Balloting
Published: May 26, 2026
By: Zeeshan Khan
Reading time: 10 minutes
Category: Labor / Technology / Legal
Note: May 26, 2026 – This is an update to the May 25, 2026 article: Samsung Electronics Legal Complaint Withdrawal: Union and Management Drop All Charges as Vote Continues
SEOUL – May 26, 2026 – With less than 24 hours remaining in the ratification vote on Samsung Electronics’ tentative wage agreement, the Donghaeng Labor Union has filed a legal injunction to suspend the ballot. This 24-hour update covers the court filing, surging voter turnout now exceeding 89%, and the final stretch before the vote closes on May 27.
This article covers the specific developments in the last 24 hours: the provisional injunction request filed with the Suwon District Court, the latest turnout figures as of May 26 morning, and the unchanged legal status of the personal information protection act cases.
The Essentials: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How (Last 24 Hours)
Who: Donghaeng Labor Union (representing approximately 12,900 DX division workers); Samsung Electronics management; the main Samsung Electronics Labor Union (SELU); the Suwon District Court; and eligible voters (57,290 members of SELU).
What: Donghaeng Union filed a request for a provisional injunction to suspend the ratification vote procedures. Separately, voter turnout among SELU members reached 89.16%.
When: The injunction was filed on May 26, 2026. The ratification vote closes on May 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. KST. Turnout data is as of the morning of May 26, 2026.
Where: The injunction was filed with the Suwon District Court in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The vote is being conducted via mobile electronic voting.
Why (Immediate Cause): Donghaeng Union argues that its exclusion from the ratification vote violates equal rights and the duty of fair representation. The union withdrew from joint bargaining before the May 20 tentative agreement and was therefore not granted voting rights.
How (Mechanism): Through a legal petition for a provisional injunction (가처분 신청). The court may rule to suspend the vote or allow it to proceed. Separately, turnout increased as members voted in the final days of the balloting period.
Specific Updates in the Last 24 Hours (May 25–26, 2026)
1. Donghaeng Union Files Injunction to Suspend Ratification Vote
On May 26, 2026, the Donghaeng Labor Union filed a request for a provisional injunction with the Suwon District Court seeking to suspend the ratification vote procedures.
Legal Basis of the Injunction: Donghaeng argues that excluding approximately 12,900 of its members from the vote constitutes a violation of equal rights and the duty of fair representation under South Korean labor law. The union maintains that the tentative wage agreement affects all Samsung Electronics workers, not only those who participated in joint bargaining.
Union’s Stated Position: According to the filing, Donghaeng contends that the main union and management improperly restricted voting rights to consolidate support for a deal that heavily favors semiconductor division (DS) workers over device experience division (DX) workers.
Court Response Timeline: The Suwon District Court has not yet issued a ruling. Given that the vote closes on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. KST, the court would need to act urgently to halt the ballot before it concludes.
2. Voter Turnout Surges Past 89% as Vote Enters Final Hours
As of the morning of May 26, 2026, turnout among eligible SELU members reached 89.16%, with more than 51,000 of 57,290 members having cast their ballots.
Turnout Progression:
| Date | Turnout | Number of Voters |
|---|---|---|
| May 22 (evening) | 66% (approx.) | ~37,800 |
| May 23 (morning) | 74.27% | 42,551 |
| May 26 (morning) | 89.16% | 51,072 (approx.) |
Implications of High Turnout: The ratification vote requires participation from more than half of eligible members and a majority approval from those who vote. With turnout already at 89.16%, the participation requirement has been exceeded regardless of the final hours. Approval remains likely as the DS division constitutes approximately 80% of eligible voters.
3. Personal Information Protection Act Cases Continue Independently
The May 25 mutual withdrawal of legal complaints between Samsung management and the main union does not affect the separate legal proceedings under the Personal Information Protection Act.
Current Status (Unchanged from May 25): Alleged violations of the Personal Information Protection Act are not automatically closed by complainant withdrawal. Investigators and prosecutors may continue to review the cases independently.
Potential Impact of Donghaeng Injunction: The injunction filing does not directly affect the personal information act cases. Those proceedings remain separate from the ratification vote dispute.
4. Main Union’s Vote Remains Active; Donghaeng Parallel Referendum Continues
The legal injunction request does not automatically suspend the ratification vote. Voting continues as scheduled unless the Suwon District Court issues a ruling halting the ballot.
Main Union Vote: Active. Mobile electronic voting remains open until May 27 at 10:00 a.m. KST.
Donghaeng Parallel Referendum: Active. Donghaeng continues its separate, non-binding referendum among its approximately 12,900 members regarding the tentative agreement.
Ministry of Employment and Labor Position (Unchanged): As stated on May 23, the Ministry confirmed that unions not participating in joint bargaining at the time of the agreement are not obligated to be granted voting rights under current labor law.
Comparison: Before and After the May 26 Update
| Element | As of May 25, 2026 (Previous Article) | As of May 26, 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal challenge to vote | None filed | Injunction filed with Suwon District Court |
| Voter turnout | 74.27% (as of May 23 morning) | 89.16% (as of May 26 morning) |
| Vote status | Active; unchanged | Active; continues unless court rules otherwise |
| Donghaeng exclusion | Active; contested | Active; now subject to court review |
| Personal Information Protection Act cases | Continue independently | Continue independently (unchanged) |
| Vote approval outlook | Likely but contested | Likely; high turnout favors DS division majority |
Current Vote Outlook (Updated for May 26)
The legal challenge introduces uncertainty, but the vote remains active and approval remains likely based on numerical majority.
Why Approval Remains Likely
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| DS division numerical majority | Approximately 80% of eligible voters (57,290) are from DS division |
| Turnout already at 89.16% | Participation requirement exceeded; most DS voters have likely cast ballots |
| Tangible wins for DS workers | 6.2% base salary increase + uncapped profit-sharing bonus + housing loan subsidies |
Why Rejection or Disruption Remains Possible
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Court injunction granted | Suwon District Court could suspend vote before May 27 close |
| Donghaeng’s rejection campaign | 12,900 DX workers actively campaigning against the deal |
| Bonus disparity visibility | 100x gap between DS memory (up to 600M won) and DX (~6M won) |
| Shareholder legal challenge risk | Commercial law challenge to 10-year bonus program possible |
Timeline of Key Events (Updated Through May 26)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | Samsung files police complaint over alleged “blacklist”; union files complaint over data collection |
| May 18, 2026 | NLRC-mediated post-mediation talks begin |
| May 20 (morning) | Third mediation meeting collapses; union announces strike |
| May 20 (evening) | Labor Minister intervenes; six-hour mediation produces tentative agreement |
| May 20 (10:30 p.m.) | Union announces strike suspended; vote scheduled |
| May 21 | Original strike start date – no action occurs; CEO Jun issues unity message |
| May 22 (2:00 p.m. KST) | Voting begins |
| May 22 (evening) | Turnout surpasses 66% within hours |
| May 23 (morning) | Turnout reaches 74.27%; Donghaeng exclusion announced |
| May 23 | Ministry issues legal interpretation; shareholders rally |
| May 25 | Mutual withdrawal of legal complaints confirmed |
| May 26 | Donghaeng files injunction to suspend vote; turnout reaches 89.16% |
| May 27 (10:00 a.m. KST) | Voting closes; results expected shortly after |
What Happens Next (As of May 26, 2026)
Immediate Status (May 26-27)
The ratification vote remains active. The Suwon District Court may rule on the injunction before the vote closes on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. KST. Donghaeng continues its parallel referendum. Personal Information Protection Act cases continue independently.
Possible Court Outcomes
If Court Grants Injunction (Vote Suspended):
- Balloting stops immediately
- Main union and management likely to challenge ruling
- Wage agreement cannot take effect until legal dispute resolved
- Strike preparations could resume
If Court Denies Injunction (Vote Continues):
- Vote proceeds to close on May 27
- Donghaeng may appeal or file separate labor commission petition
- Results will be announced shortly after vote closes
After Vote Close (May 27)
If Main Union Vote Approves (and no injunction granted):
- 2026 wage agreement becomes binding for all Samsung Electronics employees
- Donghaeng may pursue appeal of injunction denial or file new labor commission petition
- Shareholders may pursue commercial law challenge to bonus program
- Personal Information Protection Act cases may continue independently
If Main Union Vote Rejects (and no injunction granted):
- Both sides return to bargaining table
- Donghaeng’s rejection campaign would be vindicated
- Union has indicated strike preparations would resume
- Government likely to invoke emergency mediation authority
Legal Status to Monitor
- Suwon District Court Ruling on Injunction: Could suspend vote or allow it to proceed. Decision expected urgently given May 27 vote close.
- Personal Information Protection Act Cases: May proceed regardless of complaint withdrawal. Samsung’s shift in position could be considered by investigators and courts.
- Shareholder Commercial Law Challenge: Could invalidate the 10-year bonus program.
- Donghaeng’s Labor Commission Petition: If injunction is denied, Donghaeng may file a separate petition with the National Labor Relations Commission.
Why This Matters (Updated for May 26)
The Donghaeng Union’s legal challenge represents a last-minute attempt to halt a ratification vote that appears likely to pass. The outcome of the injunction request will determine whether the vote proceeds to conclusion on May 27 or is suspended indefinitely.
For Samsung management and the main union: A court ruling against the vote would force a return to bargaining and potentially revive strike preparations. A ruling in favor of the vote would clear the path for ratification.
For Donghaeng Union members: The injunction is the final opportunity to delay or alter a deal that offers DX workers a significantly smaller bonus (approximately 6M won) compared to DS memory workers (up to 600M won).
For the ratification vote: High turnout at 89.16% indicates strong engagement. The DS division’s numerical majority makes approval likely if the vote proceeds.
For South Korean labor law: The court’s handling of this injunction will set precedents regarding voting rights for unions that withdraw from joint bargaining.
Current Status Summary (As of May 26, 2026, 12:00 UTC / 9:00 p.m. KST)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Has Donghaeng filed a legal challenge to the vote? | YES – provisional injunction filed with Suwon District Court on May 26 |
| Does the injunction automatically suspend the vote? | NO – vote continues unless court rules otherwise |
| What is the current voter turnout? | 89.16% (approximately 51,072 of 57,290 eligible members) |
| Is the ratification vote still active? | YES – voting continues until May 27 at 10:00 a.m. KST |
| When does voting end? | May 27 at 10:00 a.m. KST |
| Are Donghaeng members still excluded from voting? | YES – approximately 12,900 members remain excluded |
| What is the confirmed bonus gap? | DS memory: up to 600M won; DX: ~6M won |
| What is the status of Personal Information Protection Act cases? | Continue independently; not affected by vote or injunction |
| Is the agreement expected to pass? | Likely, pending court ruling on injunction |
Sources
- Yonhap News Agency (May 26, 2026) – “Donghaeng Labor Union files injunction to suspend Samsung Electronics ratification vote” – Court filing confirmation, legal basis
- Yonhap News Agency (May 26, 2026) – “Samsung Electronics union vote turnout exceeds 89%” – Turnout figures (89.16%, 51,072 voters)
- Yonhap News Agency (May 25, 2026) – “Samsung Electronics and labor union agree to withdraw legal complaints” – Mutual withdrawal confirmation, Personal Information Protection Act distinction
- Yonhap News Agency (May 23, 2026) – “Samsung Electronics union vote turnout exceeds 70%” – Baseline turnout figures (74.27%)
- Yonhap News Agency (May 23, 2026) – “Donghaeng Labor Union excluded from Samsung vote” – Exclusion details, membership figures
- Financial News (May 23, 2026) – “Confirmed bonus disparity at Samsung” – 600M won vs 6M won figures
- Yonhap News Agency (May 23, 2026) – “Ministry of Employment and Labor: Exclusion lawful” – Legal interpretation
- Suwon District Court – Public case records (filing confirmation, no ruling issued as of May 26)
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