Trade
6 years ago

GM closure leads to label Korean city economic 'crisis zone'

Members of the GM Korea union, a subcommittee for Korea Metal Workers' Union, hold a meeting to demand GM Korea withdraw its plan to shut down Gunsan manufacturing plant in Gunsan, South Korea February 14, 2018. Reuters
Members of the GM Korea union, a subcommittee for Korea Metal Workers' Union, hold a meeting to demand GM Korea withdraw its plan to shut down Gunsan manufacturing plant in Gunsan, South Korea February 14, 2018. Reuters

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The South Korean government has designated the city of Gunsan as a ‘crisis zone’ for industry and employment, said presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom on Tuesday, after General Motors (GM.N) announced last week it would be shuttering a factory there.

Designated crisis zones become eligible for special government subsidies like cheap loans and financial support for those laid off in the country, reports Reuters.

Kim also said that related government agencies were having close talks over this issue, adding that he does not yet have a plan to meet GM’s top executive Berry Engle.

The Detroit automaker announced last week that it would shut its plant in Gunsan, southwest of Seoul, by May and decide the future of the remaining three plants in the country within weeks.

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