Gapyeong Labor Unions Unite in Call to "Withdraw Pension Counseling Center Closure"

Governor of Gapyeong Joins Joint Response
Pushing for Withdrawal in Solidarity with Labor Unions

Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province and local labor unions have launched a strong joint response against the National Pension Service's decision to close the Gapyeong Counseling Center.

Seo Taewon, Gapyeong County Governor (fifth from right), along with representatives from eight local labor unions and workplace councils, including the Gapyeong County Public Officials Labor Union, announced a joint statement at the Gapyeong County Office on the 21st. Provided by Gapyeong County

On November 21, representatives from eight local labor unions and workplace councils, including the Gapyeong County Public Officials Labor Union, held a joint press conference at the Gapyeong County Office, urging the National Pension Service to immediately withdraw its decision to close the Gapyeong Counseling Center. Seo Taewon, Governor of Gapyeong County, also attended the event in person, making clear his commitment to stand in solidarity with the unions.

The National Pension Service has announced plans to close the Gapyeong Counseling Center as of January 1, 2026. In response, local union representatives strongly objected, stating, "The Gapyeong Counseling Center is the only channel that guarantees pension counseling accessibility for county residents. If it is closed, the elderly, farmers, people with disabilities, and those with limited transportation options will be the most severely affected."

Governor Seo Taewon also participated in the statement, emphasizing, "The National Pension Service's decision to close the Gapyeong Counseling Center, made without sufficient public input, is a measure that seriously undermines regional equity and resident welfare. Gapyeong County will join forces with local unions and continue to respond until the closure is withdrawn."

The joint statement outlined three key demands: the immediate withdrawal of the closure decision, which would result in the reduction of essential public services for local residents; restoration of public trust in the National Pension Service following the decision made without sufficient local input; and the immediate withdrawal of the closure in line with the government policy to designate Gapyeong County, which faces the risk of depopulation, as a border area eligible for support.

The Gapyeong labor unions and workplace councils that participated in the joint statement included: the Gapyeong County Public Officials Labor Union, the Gapyeong County Facilities Management Corporation Labor Union, the Gapyeong County Public Workers Labor Union, the Gapyeong Police Station Workplace Council, the Dongun Taxi Labor Union, the Gapyeong Transportation Labor Union, the Gapyeong Post Office Labor Union, and the Gapyeong Nonghyup Labor Union.

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