Understanding terminology related to workplace issues is crucial when discussing current events or business matters in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean term for “labor dispute,” related vocabulary, and useful phrases to help you discuss this topic accurately.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 노동쟁의
Pronunciation: no-dong-jaeng-ui
Meaning: Labor dispute (This is the primary term used to refer to conflicts between labor and management.)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 노동조합 (노조)
Pronunciation: no-dong-jo-hap (no-jo)
Meaning: Labor union (often shortened to 노조) -
Expression: 파업
Pronunciation: pa-eop
Meaning: Strike -
Expression: 협상
Pronunciation: hyeop-sang
Meaning: Negotiation -
Expression: 임금 인상
Pronunciation: im-geum in-sang
Meaning: Wage increase -
Expression: 근로 조건
Pronunciation: geun-ro jo-geon
Meaning: Working conditions -
Expression: 해고
Pronunciation: hae-go
Meaning: Dismissal, Layoff -
Expression: 중재
Pronunciation: jung-jae
Meaning: Arbitration, Mediation -
Expression: 단체 교섭
Pronunciation: dan-che gyo-seop
Meaning: Collective bargaining -
Expression: 사용자
Pronunciation: sa-yong-ja
Meaning: Employer -
Expression: 노동자 / 근로자
Pronunciation: no-dong-ja / geun-ro-ja
Meaning: Worker / Laborer -
Expression: 쟁의 행위
Pronunciation: jaeng-ui haeng-wi
Meaning: Industrial action (acts related to a dispute, like strikes) -
Expression: 직장 폐쇄
Pronunciation: jik-jang pye-swae
Meaning: Lockout (employer prevents employees from working)
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 노동쟁의가 발생했습니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-jaeng-ui-ga bal-saeng-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A labor dispute has occurred. -
Expression: 노동조합이 파업을 시작했습니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-jo-ha-bi pa-eo-beul si-ja-kaet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The labor union has started a strike. -
Expression: 회사와 노조가 협상 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-wa no-jo-ga hyeop-sang jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The company and the union are in negotiations. -
Expression: 임금 인상을 요구하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: im-geum in-sang-eul yo-gu-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They are demanding a wage increase. -
Expression: 근로 조건 개선이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: geun-ro jo-geon gae-seo-ni pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Improvement of working conditions is necessary. -
Expression: 부당 해고에 항의합니다.
Pronunciation: bu-dang hae-go-e hang-ui-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We protest against unfair dismissal. -
Expression: 노사 간의 갈등이 깊어지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: no-sa gan-ui gal-deung-i gi-peo-ji-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The conflict between labor and management is deepening. -
Expression: 중재안을 제시했습니다.
Pronunciation: jung-jae-a-neul je-si-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: An arbitration proposal was presented. -
Expression: 단체 교섭이 결렬되었습니다.
Pronunciation: dan-che gyo-seo-bi gyeol-lyeol-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Collective bargaining has broken down. -
Expression: 노동자들은 권리를 주장하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-ja-deu-reun gwon-ri-reul ju-jang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The workers are asserting their rights. -
Expression: 사용자 측은 강경한 입장입니다.
Pronunciation: sa-yong-ja cheu-geun gang-gyeong-han ip-jang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The employer side has a hardline stance. -
Expression: 파업 참가율이 높습니다.
Pronunciation: pa-eop cham-ga-yu-ri nop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The participation rate in the strike is high.
Discussing Labor Disputes
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Expression: 이번 노동쟁의의 주요 쟁점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i-beon no-dong-jaeng-ui-ui ju-yo jaeng-jeo-meun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the main points of contention in this labor dispute? -
Expression: 파업으로 인해 생산 라인이 멈췄습니다.
Pronunciation: pa-eo-beu-ro in-hae saeng-san ra-i-ni meom-chwot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The production line has stopped due to the strike. -
Expression: 양측이 합의점을 찾기 위해 노력 중입니다.
Pronunciation: yang-cheu-gi ha-bui-jeo-meul chat-gi wi-hae no-ryeok jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Both sides are trying to find common ground (a point of agreement). -
Expression: 정부가 노동쟁의 조정에 개입했습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ga no-dong-jaeng-ui jo-jeong-e gae-ip-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The government has intervened to mediate the labor dispute. -
Expression: 노동법 준수가 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-beop jun-su-ga jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Compliance with labor laws is important. -
Expression: 회사는 직장 폐쇄 가능성을 언급했습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-neun jik-jang pye-swae ga-neung-seong-eul eon-geu-paet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The company mentioned the possibility of a lockout. -
Expression: 노동자의 권익 보호를 위한 조치가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-ja-ui gwon-ik bo-ho-reul wi-han jo-chi-ga pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Measures are needed to protect workers’ rights and interests. -
Expression: 이 문제는 법적 분쟁으로 이어질 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i mun-je-neun beop-jeok bun-jaeng-eu-ro i-eo-jil su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This issue could lead to a legal dispute. -
Expression: 노사 간의 신뢰 회복이 시급합니다.
Pronunciation: no-sa gan-ui sil-loe hoe-bo-gi si-geu-pam-ni-da.
Meaning: Restoring trust between labor and management is urgent. -
Expression: 노동쟁의가 장기화될 조짐을 보입니다.
Pronunciation: no-dong-jaeng-ui-ga jang-gi-hwa-doel jo-ji-meul bo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The labor dispute shows signs of becoming prolonged. -
Expression: 협상이 타결될 가능성은 낮아 보입니다.
Pronunciation: hyeop-sang-i ta-gyeol-doel ga-neung-seong-eun na-ja bo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The possibility of reaching a settlement in negotiations seems low. -
Expression: 사회적 대화를 통해 해결책을 찾아야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok dae-hwa-reul tong-hae hae-gyeol-chae-geul cha-ja-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A solution must be found through social dialogue.
Korean Culture Notes
Labor relations in South Korea have a complex history, marked by periods of intense struggle and activism, particularly during the country’s rapid industrialization. Understanding this context is helpful.
Labor unions, especially those representing workers in large conglomerates (재벌, jae-beol), can be quite powerful and organized. Strikes (파업, pa-eop) are a common tactic during disputes.
Public opinion on labor disputes can be divided. While there’s support for workers’ rights, prolonged strikes that disrupt public services or the economy can face criticism.
The concept of ‘투쟁’ (tu-jaeng), meaning struggle or fight, is often invoked in labor movements, reflecting a historically confrontational approach to labor-management relations, although negotiation (협상, hyeop-sang) is the ultimate goal.
The government frequently plays a role in mediating (중재, jung-jae) major labor disputes, especially those impacting key industries or public services.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are discussing a news report about a labor dispute at a large company.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 뉴스 봤어요? OO전자에서 또 노동쟁의가 시작됐대요.
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, nyu-seu bwat-seo-yo? OO-jeon-ja-e-seo tto no-dong-jaeng-ui-ga si-jak-dwaet-dae-yo.
Meaning: Sora, did you see the news? They say another labor dispute has started at OO Electronics. -
Expression: B: 아, 정말요? 이번에는 뭐가 문제래요? 또 임금 인상 문제인가요?
Pronunciation: A, jeong-mal-lyo? i-beo-ne-neun mwo-ga mun-je-rae-yo? Tto im-geum in-sang mun-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? What’s the issue this time? Is it about wage increases again? -
Expression: A: 임금 문제도 있지만, 근로 조건 개선 요구가 더 크다고 하네요. 노조가 전면 파업에 들어갔어요.
Pronunciation: Im-geum mun-je-do it-ji-man, geun-ro jo-geon gae-seon yo-gu-ga deo keu-da-go ha-ne-yo. No-jo-ga jeon-myeon pa-eo-be deu-reo-gat-seo-yo.
Meaning: There’s the wage issue too, but they say the demand for improving working conditions is stronger. The union went on a full strike. -
Expression: B: 파업까지요? 그럼 생산에 차질이 크겠네요. 회사 측 입장은 뭐래요?
Pronunciation: Pa-eop-kka-ji-yo? Geu-reom saeng-sa-ne cha-ji-ri keu-gen-ne-yo. Hoe-sa cheuk ip-jang-eun mwo-rae-yo?
Meaning: A strike? Then production must be seriously disrupted. What’s the company’s position? -
Expression: A: 아직 협상이 제대로 시작도 못 했대요. 양측 입장이 너무 달라서요. 이러다 노동쟁의가 길어질까 봐 걱정이네요.
Pronunciation: A-jik hyeop-sang-i je-dae-ro si-jak-do mot haet-dae-yo. Yang-cheuk ip-jang-i neo-mu dal-la-seo-yo. I-reo-da no-dong-jaeng-ui-ga gi-reo-jil-kka bwa geok-jeong-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: They say negotiations haven’t even properly started yet because both sides’ positions are too different. I’m worried this labor dispute might drag on. -
Expression: B: 네, 빨리 원만하게 해결되면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: Ne, ppal-li won-man-ha-ge hae-gyeol-doe-myeon jo-ket-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I hope it gets resolved smoothly soon.
Practice Tips
Understanding terms like 노동쟁의 is useful for following Korean news and discussing societal issues! Try reading Korean news articles about labor relations to see these words in context~ You can practice by summarizing the main points of a dispute using the vocabulary learned today. Discussing current events with Korean friends or language partners is also great practice! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
