Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Laid-off Ssangyong workers left in legal limbo
By Park Jin-hai
The latest ruling on 153 workers laid off by Ssangyong Motor in 2009 has left them in a legal limbo of sorts.
Suwon District Court ruled Monday against a request by the workers that they be reinstated to their jobs until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling.
This followed a decision by the Seoul High Court in February that the layoffs were not valid.
“After five years of waiting... I have fallen into too deep a state of frustration to even muster my anger,” said Lee Chang-keun, a former Ssangyong employee.
The court based its decision on the lack of evidence to substantiate the workers’ claim.
The workers applied for an injunction in May when the appeals court made a decision, and demanded that the firm pay them a monthly payment of 3 million until a Supreme Court ruling was made.
“They say there is a lack of evidence. What better evidence could we have than the appeals court ruling? The court has closed its eyes to the facts and given a politically motivated ruling,” said Lee.
Kim Tae-wook, the lawyer representing the workers, said that the ruling contradicts a Supreme Court decision made in 1999 that concluded that the onus of evidence to support the validity of making layoffs lies on the party that makes the layoffs.
Ssangyong said that they are still waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on whether the layoffs were invalid or not.