Yoon: "Labor-Management Issues Must Be Discussed Within the Framework of Social Sustainability"

Lunch Meeting with Members of the Economic, Social and Labor Council

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 6th, "Labor-management issues should not be viewed simply as conflicts between groups with differing interests, but rather discussed within the broader framework of the 'sustainability' of our society."

During a luncheon meeting with members of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon said, "If we engage in dialogue with a shared sense of purpose to create a sustainable future from the perspectives of affection for society, love for future generations, and patriotism for the nation, there will be no problem that cannot be resolved."

The ESLC is an advisory body under the President established according to the Economic, Social and Labor Council Act, serving as a forum for consultation among labor, management, and government on matters related to employment, labor policies, and the development of labor-management relations.

According to a written briefing by Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, this luncheon meeting was arranged to encourage the newly initiated social dialogue of the ESLC under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Sixteen members attended, including Kim Dong-myung, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the ESLC; Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Lee Jung-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor; and Lee Cheol-soo, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon expressed gratitude to the representatives of labor, management, and public interest participating in the social dialogue and requested their opinions. Chairman Kim Moon-soo stated, "At today's first plenary meeting, we unanimously agreed to discuss five agenda items," adding, "In the midst of complex crises, the principle and direction of 'dialogue over struggle' reached a significant consensus among labor, management, and government, which is a tremendous achievement."

Chairman Kim Dong-myung also said, "It has been a long time since labor, management, and government gathered in one place," emphasizing, "In the face of complex crises, this is a time to unite our efforts for a sustainable future rather than individual survival. Let us work together to meet the demands of industrial transformation and respond to the crisis of regional extinction to build a better society."

Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik stated, "Under the current government's labor rule-of-law policy, there have been several achievements, such as a roughly 35% reduction in lost workdays," and pledged, "Although there are many issues to resolve, including industrial structural changes and retirement age extension, we will contribute to enhancing national competitiveness by creating an era of labor-management peace through cooperation among labor, management, and government."

Professor Park Ji-soon of Korea University Law School, a public interest member, said, "While much is said about corporate competitiveness, what supports it is precisely the competitiveness of labor-management relations and labor standards, and harmonizing these with the labor market is labor reform," expressing her aspiration, "As the ESLC restarts, I will strive as a public interest member to ensure that various alternatives are prepared through social dialogue and communication."

Park Hyun-ho, a full-time member of the Freelancers Rights Center and a workers' representative, requested, "Please also listen to the voices of not only unionized workers but also non-regular and freelance workers." In response, President Yoon instructed Chief Secretary Jang Sang-yoon to arrange meetings with non-regular and freelance workers.

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