[2024 Women’s Forum] Minister Kim Moon-soo: "Work-Family Balance Requires Changes in Corporate Culture"

Minister Kim Moon-soo's Encouragement Speech at the '2024 Women Leaders Forum'
"The Government Will Also Expand Support"

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "Now, the culture within companies must also change so that workers can use work-family balance support systems without feeling pressured."

Minister Kim made these remarks during an encouragement speech at the '2024 Asia Economy Women Leaders Forum' held on the 30th at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, adding, "The government will also expand its support further."

He explained government policies that include increasing government subsidies up to 1.2 million KRW per month starting next year when companies hire replacement workers, and providing a monthly subsidy of 200,000 KRW when workers share the duties of colleagues on parental leave.

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, is delivering an encouragement speech at the "9th Asia Gender Equality Index Awards Ceremony" hosted by Asia Economy on the 30th at Lotte Hotel, Sogong-dong, Seoul.

Earlier in June, the government prepared measures focusing on easing the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, emphasizing the need to create an environment where work-family balance is possible to address the low birthrate issue.

Also, in September, the 'Parental Support Three Acts' (Equal Employment Opportunity Act, Employment Insurance Act, Labor Standards Act) passed the National Assembly, raising parental leave pay to a maximum of 2.5 million KRW per month, allowing couples to receive up to 5 million KRW combined. Paternity leave was extended from 10 to 20 days, and parents taking parental leave can each take 1 year and 6 months, totaling 3 years combined for couples. Minister Kim added, "The government’s support budget for this was also increased by more than 60%, from 2.7 trillion KRW to 4.4 trillion KRW."

He continued, "Most small and micro enterprises still have limited benefits from these systems," emphasizing, "We promise that the Ministry of Employment and Labor will work hard to change the systems and our culture going forward."

Minister Kim expressed gratitude to Hyun Sang-soon, Chairman of Asia Economy, for contributing to the spread of work-family balance culture, and congratulated all award-winning companies once again.