South Korean Labor Minister urges KCTU to rejoin social dialogue council

South Korean Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon has urged the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) to rejoin the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) to engage in permanent social dialogue. Kim stated that the government has already expressed agreement with the KCTU’s conditions for return via official documentation.

The KCTU, which withdrew from the predecessor of the ESLC in 1999, has demanded three principles for its return: consensus-based operation, guaranteed participation for industry-wide unions, and a change to the council’s name. While a recent KCTU delegate meeting failed to reach a quorum for a vote on these conditions due to mass walkouts by opposing members, Kim emphasized that the legal framework allows for discussions on industry-wide participation and name changes.

Regarding other labor issues, Kim addressed the potential conflict between extending the retirement age and youth employment, suggesting a “two-track” approach to ensure generational coexistence. He also committed to legislating the Basic Act on Working People within the year to comply with International Labour Organization standards regarding freelancers.