Gwon Gisup, Chair of the Economic and Social Council, "Concerns over Peak Korea... Alternatives Must Be Found Through Social Dialogue"

Generational Empathy Social Dialogue Advisory Meeting Held

On the 12th, the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) held the 'Generational Empathy Social Dialogue Advisory Meeting' at the ESLC conference room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This advisory meeting was convened to listen to diverse opinions on social dialogue agendas and to create an opportunity to promote tripartite dialogue among labor, management, and government.

Kwon Ki-seop, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (center), is speaking at the Generational Empathy Social Dialogue Advisory Meeting held on the 12th in the main conference room of the Economic, Social and Labor Council. / Photo by Economic, Social and Labor Council

Attendees included labor-management relations experts such as Lee Gi-kwon, former Minister of Employment and Labor; Lee Seong-gyeong, former Secretary-General of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Song Gang-jik, professor at Dong-A University Law School; Han Seok-ho, former Secretary-General of the Jeon Tae-il Foundation; and lawyer Yeo Yeon-sim from the law firm Jihyang. Advisory members representing startups and the youth generation, including Jung Ju-yeon, senior advisor at Startup Alliance, and Lee Hwa-seop, manager at the Youth Foundation, also participated. The advisory members freely exchanged opinions on recent social dialogue agenda items, such as 'Directions for resolving retirement age extension and continuous employment issues' and 'Sustainable social dialogue operation plans.'

Chairman Kwon Gi-seop of the ESLC stated, "With warnings of prolonged low growth and deepening polarization in the labor market, concerns about 'Peak Korea' (meaning the Korean economy has peaked and is on the decline) are growing, making it crucial not to miss the right timing to solve these problems. There is also increasing demand for social dialogue." He added, "Through social dialogue and communication, we must find points of empathy and compromise to prepare alternatives that serve the common good." He further expressed regret, saying, "As the chairman of the ESLC, I am very sorry about the temporary suspension of social dialogue due to the labor sector's absence caused by political circumstances."

The ESLC plans to continue direct communication with advisory members of various careers and age groups regarding social dialogue agendas. Given the high public interest in topics such as working hours reform and resolving labor market disparities, which involve conflicting understandings between generations, the advisory meetings will be actively operated as a channel for listening to opinions and facilitating communication.