Overview

• Negotiations between the Seoul Bus Labor Union and management broke down after nine hours of talks, leading to a work-to-rule protest starting at 4:00 a.m. on April 30.
• The union is calling for an 8.2% base pay increase, inclusion of bonuses as ordinary wages, and raising the retirement age from 63 to 65.
• The Seoul city government implemented emergency transit measures, including extended subway service and free shuttle buses, to mitigate commuter disruptions.
• Morning bus operations were largely unaffected, but subway ridership surged by 20–30% as commuters sought alternatives.
• The union plans to suspend its actions during the May 2–6 holiday period and will reassess strike plans at a national council meeting on May 8.