Shareholders file complaints against labor minister, Samsung, SK hynix CEOs

A minority shareholder rights group on Wednesday filed complaints against Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon and the chief executive officers of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix over the companies' recently signed wage deals that will use part of their operating profits to pay performance bonuses to their employees.

The group, which calls itself the Korea Shareholders Movement Headquarters, argues performance bonuses should not have been subject to collective bargaining in the first place.

The group filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials against the labor minister on charges of abuse of power, obstruction of the exercise of rights and coercion.

Kim helped bring Samsung's prolonged wage dispute to an end May 20 through the government's labor dispute mediation process.

The shareholder group argued that the minister had induced the conclusion of Samsung's tentative wage agreement, although performance bonuses are not subject to collective bargaining or labor disputes.

The group filed a separate complaint with the National Office of Investigation agai ...