Kumho Tire Co. announced a labor-management agreement to restore production at its fire-damaged Gwangju complex by resuming operations at the unaffected Gwangju Plant 1. The agreement also includes the operation of a new facility in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province, in 2028 with an annual capacity of 5.3 million tires.

The company said Wednesday that it aims to produce 6,000 tires per day at Gwangju Plant 1 by the end of this year. It will supplement existing capacity with additional equipment and secure rubber and semi-finished goods from its Gokseong plant and outside partners.

The new plant, to be built in the BitGreen Industrial Complex in Hampyeong, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 and will begin operations in January 2028 with an annual output of 5.3 million tires in its first phase.

Following the sale of the Gwangju plant site, Kumho plans to relocate Plant 1 to Hampyeong and pursue construction of a second facility in Gwangju. Specific construction timelines will be determined in consultation with the Gwangju city government.

The labor union and management have agreed to guarantee job security for all current employees.

Separately, Kumho Tire reported second-quarter earnings of 1.22 trillion won ($886 million) in revenue, up 7.9 percent from the same period last year and 175.2 billion won in operating profit, up 15.6 percent.

Despite intensifying tariff pressures, the company posted a one-time gain from the reversal of 40 billion won in anti-dumping duties.

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