President Moon: "Private Sector Must Increase Job Creation... Good Jobs Ultimately Come from Companies"

Employment, Environment, and Agriculture Ministry 2020 Work Report... President Moon's First Official Mention of 'Employment Extension'

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs briefing held at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 11th. (From left) Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, President Moon, Cho Jung-sik, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in said on the 11th, "It is important to increase private sector job creation," adding, "The public sector should act as a catalyst and put more effort into revitalizing jobs in the private sector."

President Moon made these remarks during his opening address at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs briefing held at the Blue House State Guest House in the afternoon under the theme "Better Jobs, Beyond Rebound to Tangible Experience." He emphasized, "This year must be a year when people feel a definite change beyond just a rebound in job indicators."

President Moon stated, "Ultimately, it is companies that create good jobs," and stressed, "We must invigorate the core manufacturing industry by strengthening regulatory innovation and investment incentives, thereby improving productivity and competitiveness." He added, "The government should focus on spreading data-driven talent and fostering new growth engines through nurturing new industries such as bio, future cars, and system semiconductors."

In particular, President Moon said, "I believe it is now time to seriously start reviewing employment extension," explaining, "For the elderly, it means welfare through work and participating in social activities for a longer period." This is the first time President Moon has mentioned 'employment extension' in an official public setting. However, given the challenging domestic and international economic conditions, resistance is expected as the cost burden on the business community may increase.

This meeting resumed the briefing sessions that had been temporarily suspended due to the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) outbreak since the Ministry of National Defense briefing on the 21st of last month. President Moon emphasized, "While the government is making every effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, policy tasks in each sector must be pursued without wavering," and added, "Jobs are the highest national agenda that cannot be neglected even for a moment." He also noted, "Due to the novel coronavirus, manufacturing linked to China’s production processes, tourism, and services are immediately affected, which is likely to burden job conditions," and urged, "Please be more vigilant in preparing employment and economic livelihood measures considering this point."

Attending the briefing were Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, as well as ministers from the Ministry of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap, Ministry of Environment Cho Myung-rae, and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Hyun-soo, among other officials from the relevant ministries. Additionally, after the departmental reports, about 40 citizens representing cases such as persons with severe disabilities, young entrepreneurs, women overcoming career breaks, and middle-aged individuals seeking reemployment participated and shared their remarks freely.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.