South Korea vows to help secure Hormuz passage

Shipyard unions in South Korea are intensifying strikes as the Chuseok holiday approaches. The Hanwha Ocean union, which has been striking all month, halted all "Goliath cranes" on the 18th, a critical piece of equipment. The HD Hyundai Heavy Industries union announced that negotiations had broken down, expanding the dispute to the company's holding firm.

Workers at Samsung Heavy Industries also rejected the company's initial offer, increasing labor-management tensions. The Hanwha Ocean union plans to suspend crane operations for 24 hours, affecting about 140 crane operators. Despite a meeting the previous day, management and labor failed to reach an agreement. The union is demanding substantial wage increases and improvements to the performance bonus system, which they deem inadequate.

As talks are scheduled for the 22nd, just before Chuseok, a resolution remains uncertain, with the possibility of further escalation in labor-management conflict.