Kyeong-sik Son, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, Sends Congratulatory Letter to New ILO Director-General

"Expectations for Successful Response to Global Employment and Labor Issues"

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) announced on the 3rd that it sent a congratulatory letter to Gilbert Houngbo, the 11th Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), who took office on the 1st under the name of Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik.

Chairman Sohn said, "On behalf of the Korean business community, I congratulate you on your inauguration as ILO Director-General," and added, "In these challenging times marked by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and complex international situations, labor, management, and government worldwide have high expectations for your leadership."

He stated, "I hope that the ILO will successfully respond to global employment and labor issues by considering the unique circumstances of each member country and balancing the diverse positions of stakeholders," and emphasized, "KEF will continue its role and responsibility as an economic organization to build cooperative labor-management relations and rational legal systems in Korea."

Finally, Chairman Sohn expressed, "I hope that at the 17th ILO Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting to be held in Singapore this December, we can share constructive proposals for addressing regional issues and recovering from the COVID-19 crisis."

Gilbert Houngbo, the newly appointed ILO Director-General, was elected as the 11th Director-General on March 25 and began his term on the 1st after a six-month transition period.