Fired South Korean worker ends year-long tower protest after Samsung apologises
- Kim Yong-hee said he was dismissed by Samsung 25 years ago for trying to establish a trade union
- He fought for 24 years to be reinstated, and spent 365 days on a 25-metre traffic tower in Seoul before Samsung apologised
Kim Yong-hee climbed down from the tower close to the company's headquarters in Seoul after receiving an apology from the South Korean tech conglomerate, according to a report by Yonhap news agency.
Kim was dismissed 25 years ago, when he was working at the former subsidiary Samsung Techwin. He argues that he was fired for trying to establish a trade union.
He fought unsuccessfully for 24 years to be reinstated, then in June 2019 climbed to the top of the traffic surveillance tower, where he had erected a platform from which to rail against the company.
The two parties reached an agreement after weeks of negotiation, according to Im Mi-ri, the co-leader of a support group for Kim.
Kim's honour was restored when Samsung apologised for failing to find a solution sooner, Im said.
Vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics Lee Jae-yong recently issued a public apology for the company's recent controversial succession plans and accusations of corruption.
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He promised that in the future, Samsung would recognise employees' rights to organise trade unions.
The company has faced significant criticism in the past for anti-union policies.
