With the protracted Middle East conflict raising fears of a local economic slowdown, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok launched a citywide, hands-on effort to protect residents' livelihoods, inspecting major employers and traditional markets while exploring policy responses.
On the afternoon of the 24th, Mayor Yoo visited GM Korea's Bupyeong plant, met with union branch chief Ahn Gyu-baek and other union officials, and heard workers’ concerns.
Branch chief Ahn warned that uncertainty about GM Korea's future could have direct and indirect effects across the entire Incheon auto sector, extending beyond employment issues.
Speculation about a GM Korea exit emerged after the Trump administration's tougher tariff policies, but some observers suggested the situation may have stabilized after the company decided to open a high‑tech center in Bupyeong to provide technical support to suppliers.
Still, workers cautioned that past cases of overseas withdrawals by General Motors indicate the company could still pull out, and they urged the formation of a tripartite labor‑management‑government council to coordinate a joint response.
Ahn said, \"GM Korea's share of the domestic market exceeded 16% in 2016, but it has since fallen to around 1%. Globally, General Motors has shown a pattern of deliberately shrinking its presence in domestic markets before ultimately withdrawing.\"
He added, \"When the agreement between GM's headquarters and KDB Industrial Bank expires in 2028, the obligation to maintain domestic production facilities will lapse, which raises serious concerns about a potential withdrawal. GM also has not presented clear plans for next‑generation vehicles.\"
Mayor Yoo responded, \"GM has told us it has no plans to withdraw, but I agree that safeguards are necessary. I will push to establish a tripartite council of labor, management and government so we can discuss measures to secure the sustainability of the local auto industry.\"
Afterward, Mayor Yoo walked through stalls across Bupyeong General Market to monitor price trends. He used Onnuri gift certificates to buy food and took time to encourage the merchants.
That morning at city hall, Mayor Yoo chaired the Incheon Emergency Economic Review Meeting on the Middle East situation and said, \"We need measures to maintain stability and minimize the burden of everyday consumer goods on citizens—similar to how tiered, volume‑based trash‑bag policies work.\" He urged officials to track government developments closely and to mount a rapid, field‑focused response as conditions require.
/Reporting and photos by Byun Seong-won bsw906@incheonilbo.com
