Kim Youngbae Announces "Seoul-style 4.5-Day Workweek" Labor Policy in Seoul Mayoral Bid

Introduction of the Seoul-Style Flexible Work System

On March 11, Kim Youngbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is running for Seoul mayor in the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, announced his "Seoul 4.5 Life" labor pledge, with the introduction of a "Seoul-style flexible work system" as its centerpiece.

At a policy meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day, Assemblyman Kim stated, "We need to make Seoul a city where citizens can have their own time, not one where they are always pressed for time at work or at home," adding, "Through Seoul 4.5 Life, I will give time back to our citizens."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hyunwoo Shin = On February 23, Kim Youngbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea challenging for the Seoul mayoral election in the June 3 local elections, attended the metropolitan mayoral candidate interview held at the Democratic Party of Korea Central Party Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and responded to questions from the press. 2026.2.23 nowwego@yna.co.kr (End)

Assemblyman Kim's plan is to implement Seoul-style flexible work arrangements, such as staggered working hours and flexible work schedules, starting with public institutions, and to expand the Seoul-style 4.5-day workweek through industry-specific agreements. He also announced that incentives would be provided to private companies that adopt these measures and that a four-day workweek pilot program would be considered in sectors with a high risk of industrial accidents.

He also presented plans to expand care and work infrastructure, focusing on areas near subway stations. By establishing integrated care centers and shared offices at major transfer stations, he aims to create an environment where commuting citizens can address both care and work needs at the same time. To address the labor blind spots in Seoul, he intends to design the "Seoul Citizen Insurance" program to establish a safety net for workers.

In addition, he announced the introduction of the so-called "Minimum Contract Hours Guarantee System" to prohibit "split contracts" in the public sector, thereby establishing a standard that ensures work contracts of at least 15 hours per week, starting with public entities. He also proposed introducing a "Youth Second Challenge Allowance" to strengthen the safety net for young workers. Acknowledging the increasing number of young entrepreneurs closing their businesses, he emphasized that support should be available not only for starting a business but also for those who wish to try again after closure.

Assemblyman Kim stressed, "Labor policy is ultimately about protecting citizens' time," and continued, "Seoul should not be a city where people simply work more, but a city that fully guarantees its citizens' daily lives." He added, "With the 'Seoul 4.5 Life' pledge, I will give time back to our citizens and make Seoul a city where labor is respected."

Meanwhile, the policy meeting was attended by Assembly members Park Jiwon, Hwang Hee, Yoon Kunyoung, Lee Yongseon, and Park Hongbae, as well as former Assemblyman Choi Kangwook, who expressed their support for the pledge.

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