Samsung's 50,000-worker strike begins May 21—18 days of stoppage

Wage talks collapsed. The union is pushing ahead with an 18-day walkout starting May 21 involving 50,000 workers. Daily losses estimated at ₩1 trillion. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo convened emergency talks. HBM production delays threaten Nvidia's supply chain and have triggered KOSPI panic selling. Government mediation options are effectively exhausted.