Busan's metro ran as usual on the morning of Oct. 23. The union that had declared talks dead on Wednesday night and warned of a walkout from the first train accepted a provisional deal in a late session and withdrew the strike.
Talks collapse at 9 p.m., a deal after midnight
Busan Transportation Corporation and its union opened the 19th round of 2026 bargaining at 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Nopo depot. Around 9 p.m. the union declared a breakdown and warned of a work stoppage from the first train on Oct. 23.
Extra talks including the corporation's president and the union chief then produced a provisional deal that night. Joongdo Ilbo puts the moment of agreement on the main issues at about 12:48 a.m. on Oct. 23.
What was agreed
Pay rises 3.5% in line with government guidelines. A joint labour-management task force will look at how staffing is set, and the two sides will ask Busan City to add 29 field staff.
Annual-leave pay and performance pay earned this year will be paid in January. Treatment of public-service workers will improve, and technical staff on night duty are guaranteed four continuous hours of sleep.
What still has to happen
The deal is provisional: a union delegates' meeting and a vote of all members come before signing. If it goes through, Busan Transportation Corporation will have settled bargaining without industrial action for a seventh straight year.
Staffing and bargaining with subcontractors were the sticking points until the end. For travellers, Busan's metro is running normally today.
