President Lee: "Workers Are Essentially the Weaker Party, the Three Basic Labor Rights Must Be Fully Guaranteed"

President Lee Hosts Federation of Korean Trade Unions Leaders on the 24th
"We Will Work to Increase Unionization Rates"

President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 24th, "Workers are fundamentally in a weaker position," emphasizing, "I believe it is important that the three basic labor rights—solidarity among workers, collective bargaining, and collective action—are properly guaranteed."

During an invitation meeting with the leadership of the Korea Federation of Trade Unions held at the Blue House in the afternoon, President Lee added, "Overcoming polarization requires restoring a balance of power for labor unions," expressing these views.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Korea Federation of Trade Unions invitation meeting held at the Blue House on the 24th. March 24, 2026, Yonhap News Agency

President Lee further highlighted, "I often say in various places that we need to increase the unionization rate among workers, but it doesn't seem to be as easy as one might think," adding, "I hope that the labor community will continue to restore some balance of power through unity, and the government will also work to make that possible."

He also requested, "I ask that you join us in the path of easing the severe polarization in our society, even if only a little, through sufficient dialogue and compromise."

President Lee went on to say, "Our government has worked hard in its own way to create a society that respects labor," but acknowledged, "There is still much work to be done and a long way to go." In particular, he pointed to large corporations versus small and medium-sized enterprises, regular workers versus non-regular workers, primary contractors versus subcontractors, and men versus women as areas where polarization persists.

President Lee continued, "The business community is calling for employment flexibility, while the labor community strongly opposes it, saying that dismissal means death. The expansion of the social safety net and various institutional improvements must accompany these discussions."

He explained, "In any case, there are indeed many problems, and it is difficult to approach them, but we cannot leave them unaddressed; we must resolve these issues. In order to do so, it is important to sit together, listen to each other's positions, communicate, and compromise where possible."

He expressed his expectations by adding, "Although compromise through dialogue in relationships with clearly conflicting interests can be a difficult and drawn-out process, I believe that if we engage in open-hearted conversation based on mutual respect and trust, we may find clues to solutions."

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