Kim Moon-soo, New Chair of the Economic and Social Council, "Will Be the Central Axis of Yoon Government's Labor Reform"

Kim Moon-soo, the newly appointed chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, is answering questions from the press at the inauguration ceremony held on the morning of the 4th at the council's main conference room in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Kim Moon-soo, the 13th Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, officially took office on the 4th. Chairman Kim acknowledged the labor sector's distrust towards him, saying, "I will reflect on myself and move forward." He also emphasized that he will play a central role in the labor reform announced by President Yoon Seok-yeol.

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Economic, Social and Labor Council's main conference room in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chairman Kim said, "I have heard well the words from the Korea Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, the main bodies of the council, that they cannot trust our council and me," adding, "Especially regarding the distrust towards me personally, I will sincerely and humbly reflect on myself and move forward."

Regarding labor issues, Chairman Kim explained, "I believe it is not just a simple matter of wages and working hours," stating, "Various complex human life issues such as unfair gaps and discrimination, labor rights, safety, housing, welfare, childcare and education for children, and career paths are intertwined."

He continued, "Currently, our society is facing new challenges such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, low birthrate and aging population, and the climate crisis," emphasizing, "Addressing the ongoing polarization of the labor market, protecting labor rights for new forms of labor, and creating an industrial ecosystem in the digital age are urgent tasks."

The Economic, Social and Labor Council is a presidential advisory social dialogue body where the government consults with labor and employer organizations on employment and labor policies and advises the president. The chairman holds a ministerial-level position with a two-year term.

Chairman Kim outlined five key tasks for the council to focus on: ▲solving housing, childbirth, childcare, education, and welfare issues for vulnerable worker groups such as small and medium enterprises, non-regular workers, and youth ▲alleviating the dual structure of the labor market through discussions on win-win measures between primary and subcontractors ▲strengthening social dialogue by region and industry ▲supporting improvements in customized employment services and vocational competency development systems ▲diversifying participants in social dialogue.

Chairman Kim stated, "Through social dialogue, we will play a central role in promoting the labor reform declared by President Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "The purpose of labor reform is to create quality jobs and to reduce disparities and increase fairness in the labor market." He further said, "To realize these goals of labor reform, we will steadily proceed by gathering collective intelligence from experts in our society centered on dialogue and compromise between labor and management to build national consensus."