Choi Tae-won and Kim Moon-soo's First Meeting... Exchanging Opinions on Labor Market Reform Measures

Kim Moon-soo's Meeting as Part of 'Communication with Economic Organization Leaders'
Kim: "Overcome Crisis through Labor Reform"
Choi: "Want to Discuss Collaboration Plans"

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, met on the 16th at the KCCI building in Jung-gu, Seoul, to discuss labor market reform measures in response to internal and external structural changes.

Chairman Chey Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (right) and Minister Kim Moon-soo of the Ministry of Employment and Labor are shaking hands. Photo by Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The two met for the first time since Minister Kim took office in August. The meeting was part of Minister Kim's 'communication with economic organization heads.'

From the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Minister Kim was joined by spokesperson Park Jong-pil and Director of Labor-Management Cooperation Policy Lee Chang-gil. From KCCI, Chairman Choi, Vice Chairman Park Il-jun, Vice Chairman of Seoul Chamber Lee Hyung-hee, and Director of the Human Resources Development Project Team Lee Sang-bok attended.

Minister Kim said, "Our society is currently facing an unprecedented low birth rate, polarization in the labor market, and the crisis of industrial transformation," adding, "We must overcome the imminent crisis through labor reform and various stakeholders, including labor, management, and government, must join forces." He emphasized, "The 'new entrepreneurial spirit' that Chairman Choi has stressed, which empathizes with society and takes the lead in problem-solving, must spread."

In response, Chairman Choi said, "I understand that the government is making various efforts to create new jobs and secure flexibility," and added, "The business community, especially KCCI, is also considering how to solve these issues."

He continued, "KCCI's goal is to create jobs that are a little more relaxed and happier by alleviating the current labor-related problems," and added, "We are studying various situations and would like to discuss collaboration measures with the Ministry of Employment and Labor on a different level."

Furthermore, Minister Kim urged companies to make efforts to expand jobs. He said, "Recently, the number of young people experiencing 'long-term unemployment' and 'time off' has increased, so the number of jobs that young people want to go to must increase significantly," and added, "Since companies create jobs, KCCI should play an active role to revitalize the labor market."

He stated, "The government will also improve regulations to ensure there are no obstacles for companies to operate and will steadfastly promote labor reforms to create a vibrant and warm labor market."