Yoon Supports 'Public Institution Labor Director System'... Continuing to Embrace the Labor Sector (Comprehensive)

Support Expressed for Teacher and Public Official Time-Off System
Further Discussion Needed on Applying Labor Standards Act to Workplaces with Fewer Than 5 Employees

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, receives a booklet containing workers' demands from Chairman Kim Dong-myeong before a policy meeting at the Korean Federation of Trade Unions in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum and Juni Park] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, met with the leadership of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and expressed support for the public institution labor director system and the time-off system (time-off system) for full-time union officials among teachers and public servants, signaling an embrace of the labor sector.

On the morning of the 15th, Yoon visited the FKTU headquarters in Seoul and held a meeting with its leadership, stating, "Workers must be recognized as the foundation and main actors of this society." The main agenda items Yoon mentioned that day included the public institution labor director system, the time-off system for teachers and public servants, and the application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees.

Kim Byung-min, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s Central Election Committee, told reporters after Yoon’s meeting with the FKTU leadership, "(Regarding the public institution labor director system) not only Yoon but also the party has decided to accept it positively," adding, "He clearly expressed support and repeatedly emphasized the importance of a partnership spirit between labor and management for smooth progress."

Kim also emphasized the time-off system for teachers and public servants, saying, "Although there have been concerns in various aspects despite the necessity, he clearly expressed his support, stating that it is time to support the time-off system in accordance with the labor rights of public servants and teachers." Regarding the application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, they discussed some parts but will continue to deliberate on the extent of implementation.

Yoon, who declared he would "become a friend of the FKTU," said that day, "The social agreement unilaterally driven by the government or labor power is not sustainable, as Kim Dong-myeong, chairman of the FKTU, said previously, and I also keep that in mind," explaining, "The state should respect the freedom of labor and management and help them autonomously achieve a grand compromise and harmony."

Initially, Yoon faced criticism from the labor sector for maintaining a negative stance on the minimum wage system, including remarks about "120-hour workweeks" and "hand and foot labor." However, recently, he has shown signs of shifting toward a pro-labor position. At the Kwanhun Club debate held the previous day, Yoon took a step back from his previous stance regarding the minimum wage system and the 52-hour workweek, stating, "It is impossible to roll back working conditions that have already been set and are being enforced." On the same day, Chairman Kim also urged Yoon’s pro-labor move, saying, "Attacks on the fundamental value of labor are a historical frame of the Republic of Korea, and regression will never be tolerated," and "We will make the reflection and evaluation of policies on seven major issues, such as laws protecting workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees and laws ensuring job security even if the subcontractor’s boss changes, the most important criteria in the presidential election."

Since the FKTU has about 1.4 million members, Yoon’s visit that day is also interpreted as an attempt to court the labor vote. The FKTU has officially endorsed former President Lee Myung-bak and President Moon Jae-in in past presidential elections but has not officially endorsed any candidate this time. Yoon has actively reached out, including a private meeting with Chairman Kim on the 4th. This visit was reportedly promoted by Im I-ja, head of the functional division of Yoon’s election committee, who is from the FKTU.

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