At the Korea GM direct maintenance center in Daejeon, workers like Kim Jin-heon are increasingly checking whether they will receive notice regarding job relocations following the company's deadline for closure, which passed over a week ago. Korea GM had previously informed the metalworkers' union of its intention to close nine direct service centers across the country, establishing February 15 as the closure date. Operations at the maintenance centers had already halted vehicle admissions since January 1, raising concerns among employees about their job security and future assignments.

Upon receiving transition notification to wait at home, Kim and his colleague Jo Il-gwon chose to report to work instead on the 20th, expressing frustration over the lack of communication regarding new job placements or working conditions after the deadline. Jo emphasized the challenge of remaining idle without understanding the next steps, indicating a need for clearer negotiations. Although there are currently no vehicles to service, Jo plans to continue working with a partner supplier for parts, highlighting the uncertainty faced by workers amid the closure announcement and subsequent legal challenges to the company's decision.

The union, which filed for an injunction against the closure last month citing the unilateral termination of agreements, faced a setback when the court rejected their request, further complicating the situation for employees. As the deadline passed, anxiety among the maintenance center workers intensified, with Kim recalling the hardships during previous plant closures in 2018 and 2022. He reflected on the personal toll these relocations took on his family, indicating a potential reluctance to move again if reassigned. Jo also expressed concern about a possible sale of the maintenance center land, further complicating the context of their employment and future job security.