ABSTRACT
Labor control eased and political opportunities expanded dramatically when the authoritarian regime fell in 1987. Accordingly, union density, trade unions, and union membership exploded in 1988 and 1989 (Table 6.1). Density increased to 18.6% in 1989, the highest in the history of Korean labormovements. Trade unions and members nearly doubled and tripled in number, respectively, between 1986 and 1989. Militant labor movements and nationwide, rapid unionization notably improved organized workers’ socioeconomic welfare. During 1988 and 1989, for instance, nominal wage increases were 15.5% and 21.1%. Real wage growth was 7.8%and 14.5% (Table 4.4).Whenwage gains slowed in 1990, unionmembers lost enthusiasm and some withdrew, causing declines in union influence and density. Renewed government repression and employers’ introduction of sophisticated labor management techniques exacerbated union losses.
