[THE INVESTOR] Kia Motors has filed criminal complaints against the leaders of its labor union over the alleged illegal strikes.

According to the carmaker, a complaint has been filed against union leader Kim Sung-rak and five other union officials for taking Kia’s union into the nationwide strike organized by the Korean Metal Workers’ Union. The metal workers’ union is a subgroup within the hardline Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. 


The company claims that its union did not follow legal procedures for taking industrial action.

The company also plans to file a compensation suit against the labor union. The company estimates that the four-hour strikes staged at its facilities last week resulted in lost production of 1,300 vehicles.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)