Employment Minister Kim Moon-soo's First Directive: "Respond to Fully Settle Wage Arrears"

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, said on the 31st of last month, "Make every effort to fully settle the remaining 219.8 billion won that has not yet been cleared despite previous efforts." This was his first directive after taking office, highlighting the resolution of wage arrears exceeding 1 trillion won as a priority.

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor / Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor

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Immediately after his inauguration, on the 31st of the previous month, Minister Kim held an emergency executive meeting and instructed the prompt protection of the rights of workers affected by wage arrears and strict punishment of employers who owe wages.

At the meeting, Minister Kim directed, "Heads of institutions must check the wage arrears situation daily and go to the field to ensure all unpaid wages are cleared." He also emphasized, "Malicious and habitual wage arrears employers should be subject to arrest warrants and detention investigations as a principle, requiring even stronger measures."

He further stated, "The heads of the main and branch offices must directly check the amount of wage arrears, the amount cleared, and the amount remaining unpaid every day," and stressed, "The heads of the main and branch offices should make clearing wage arrears their 'top priority' and devote all their capabilities to this task."

During the wage arrears clearance process, Minister Kim instructed to strengthen cooperation with the prosecution and seek collaboration measures with related organizations such as the Sentencing Commission. He also ordered a swift and strict investigation into Qoo10 affiliates, where wage arrears have become apparent.

As of the end of June, the amount of wage arrears was 1.0435 trillion won. The amount cleared was 823.8 billion won, recording a clearance rate of 79%.

The Ministry of Employment plans to operate a focused guidance period ahead of Chuseok, the largest national holiday, to ensure no workers suffer from wage arrears. To this end, a nationwide meeting of institution heads will soon be held to check the wage arrears situation by institution and discuss response measures.

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