Yoon Meets 200 Youths: "Labor Reform Will Be the First of the Three Major Reforms to Be Promoted"

Meeting on 3 Major Reforms at Cheong Yeongbin-gwan
President Yoon: "Four Principles of Labor Reform - Flexibility, Fairness, Safety, Legal Stability"
Promise to Expand 'Youth Internship Program' for National Administration Participation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 20th, President Yoon Suk-yeol urged, "Please lend your support so that a rational and humane labor reform that respects labor can be achieved (by the youth)."

President Yoon made these remarks during a meeting held at the Blue House State Guest House in the afternoon with about 200 young people, centered on the three major reforms of labor, education, and pensions. According to a written briefing by Lee Jae-myung, deputy spokesperson of the presidential office, he said, "Among the three major reforms, the first to be promoted is labor reform."

Deputy Spokesperson Lee explained that the meeting was arranged according to the president's intention to express gratitude to the young people who have offered various opinions on state affairs management before the end of this year.

At the meeting, President Yoon also listened to the opinions of young people regarding the promotion of the three major reforms for future generations and shared his reform plans.

President Yoon personally mentioned the four major principles related to labor reform: flexibility, fairness, safety, and legal stability. Regarding labor flexibility, he stated, "Since the labor demand after the 2nd Industrial Revolution and the labor demand after the 4th Industrial Revolution are significantly different, the labor system must flexibly change according to the times."

On fairness, he emphasized, "Labor and management must have fair bargaining power. If a system unfavorable to employers is created, investment will decrease, and labor opportunities will inevitably diminish. Also, a dual structure or polarization among workers must not be created. A fair and reasonable compensation system according to the quantity and quality of labor is necessary to achieve economic advancement."

President Yoon also explained the importance of safety, saying, "All workers should be supported to work in physically and emotionally safe environments at their workplaces." Regarding legal stability, he said, "Labor-management legalism must be established in labor relations so that unnecessary conflicts and disputes do not recur. Labor-management legalism means not only responding to illegal acts by large unions but also creating a stable structure where workers can work comfortably and happily."

President Yoon added, "I have a little over four years left in my term, and I cannot change all the problems in our society during my term. The most important thing is to do our best to ensure that reform tasks do not regress, and then you all should carry on well, further develop, and complete them."

To increase youth participation in state affairs management, he also promised to expand the youth internship system. Regarding this, President Yoon said, "It is truly important to accept the thoughts and ideas of young people in carrying out public duties and to allow young people to experience how national affairs operate."

He encouraged participation, saying, "I hope you will participate actively in the youth internship system and help not only in policies for the youth but also in designing the nation's future."

Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who attended the meeting with President Yoon, responded to a young person's question about whether she has had a strong interest in environmental issues by saying, "Our environment is the most precious value that humanity must protect, regardless of individual ideology or disposition," and urged, "No matter what field or work you engage in, please take great interest in the environment."

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