Hyundai Motor's labor union elects moderate leader

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- The labor union of South Korea's largest automaker,
Hyundai Motor Co., on Friday elected a moderate figure as its new leader in a
tightly contested race, company and union officials said, signaling a change in
the body's often militant approach.
Lee Kyung-hun, who sought to represent centrist and pragmatic forces in the
Hyundai Motor union while vowing to improve workers' welfare, won 52.56 percent
of 40,288 votes cast, defeating rival candidate Kwon O-il, who grabbed 46.98
percent of the votes, said the officials.
Throughout his campaign, Kwon had pledged to fight against the government's labor
policies.
This is the first time in 15 years that the Hyundai Motor union has elected a
moderate figure.
Lee, 49, focused his campaign on appealing to unionized workers discontent with
the current leadership's anti-government stance under the guidance of the
umbrella Korean Metal Workers Union.
He will serve as Hyundai Motor's union chief for two years from next month.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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