National Assembly Launches Social Dialogue... Woo Wonsik: "Labor and Management Join Forces to Resolve Conflicts and Challenges"

Dialogue Body with National Assembly and Five Labor-Management Groups
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Returns to Negotiation Table After 26 Years
Consultative Groups Formed for Innovation, Protection, and Mutual Growth

The National Assembly, taking the lead and joined by five major labor and management organizations, officially launched the "Social Dialogue Body" on October 15, which will discuss labor and industrial issues. This National Assembly-level dialogue platform brings together business and labor groups to address a wide range of topics, including the protection of special employment, platform, and freelance workers, as well as vocational training related to emerging industries.

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, floor leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, and representatives from business and labor organizations held the Social Dialogue Joint Declaration Ceremony at Sarangjae, National Assembly, at 11 a.m. on this day, emphasizing their commitment to labor-management cooperation and dialogue. Representing business were Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Son Kyungshik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; and Kim Gimun, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. Representing labor were Kim Dongmyung, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, and Yang Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. This marks the first time since its withdrawal from the Tripartite Commission (now the Presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council) in 1999 that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has returned to the labor-management dialogue table.

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, along with representatives of five labor and management organizations, are signing the declaration at the Social Dialogue Joint Declaration Ceremony held at Sarangjae, National Assembly, on the 15th. From the left: Yang Kyungsoo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Choi Taewon, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly; Kim Dongmyung, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Son Kyungshik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Kim Gimun, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. 2025.10.15 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In his opening remarks, Speaker Woo stated, "The National Assembly, together with the labor and business communities, has created a framework for resolving various conflicts and challenges in our society through dialogue and discussion." He added, "Despite the importance of social dialogue, past efforts have been suspended or lost momentum for various reasons. Reflecting on these experiences, we have now formalized and consolidated our commitment to building a more stable and sustainable dialogue framework and to participating in it." He further emphasized, "The National Assembly's social dialogue will serve as a channel connecting the field and the legislature, enabling the National Assembly to devote its authority and capabilities to overcoming social conflicts and crises." Speaker Woo and the labor and management representatives also expressed, through the "Social Dialogue Joint Declaration," their recognition of the need for social dialogue to overcome complex crises and their commitment to achieving future-oriented outcomes.

Previously, in August of last year, Speaker Woo had proposed the establishment of a National Assembly-led labor-management dialogue body, arguing that the Presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council was not fulfilling its role. He has since held working-level consultations with labor and management organizations. The intention was to address the issue that when disagreements arose between labor and management, government-appointed public interest members would guide decisions in line with government policy, making it difficult to narrow the gap between the two sides.

As a result, the National Assembly Social Dialogue Body, which operates without government officials and instead includes National Assembly-appointed experts, will run three separate consultative groups focused on innovation, protection, and mutual growth. Within these groups, labor and management will discuss topics such as social insurance and social safety nets for special employment, platform, and freelance workers, as well as vocational training for new industries. If consensus is reached within these consultative groups, the National Assembly plans to support the legislative process based on these agreements. In addition, to ensure that discussions continue even if the Speaker of the National Assembly changes, there are plans to institutionalize the body as a permanent organization through legislation.