APEC Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting Concludes: "Joint Response to Future Labor Market Changes"

Held for the First Time in 11 Years Since the 2014 Vietnam Meeting
Discussion on the Theme of Sustainable Labor Markets and Jobs
Bilateral Meetings with Senior Representatives from Various Countries Visiting Korea
"Expanding the Foundation for Employment and Labor Cooperation with Asia-Pacific Countries"

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting, held in Korea for the first time in 11 years, has concluded. At this meeting, a joint statement was issued outlining policy directions for sustainable labor markets and jobs for the future. An agreement was also reached to establish a new forum proposed by Korea, which is scheduled to be held in Seoul next year. During bilateral meetings with countries such as Singapore and Japan, various cooperation measures, including talent development, were discussed.

Senior Representative Minseok Kim (Acting Minister of Employment and Labor) held the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting plenary session at the Jeju International Convention Center on the 12th and adopted a joint statement. Provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that Senior Representative Minseok Kim (Acting Minister of Employment and Labor) successfully concluded the 7th 'APEC Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting' held in Jeju from the 11th to the 13th.

The APEC Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting had been suspended since the 2014 meeting in Vietnam and was convened again after 11 years by agreement among member economies. The event was attended by over 200 senior representatives in the employment and labor sectors from 20 APEC member economies, including Jeannette Jara of Chile, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, and Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources of Malaysia.

During the meeting, member economies discussed the theme of sustainable labor markets and jobs for the future. A joint statement was also issued, reflecting related policy directions and commitments. The statement included content on building dynamic labor markets to create quality jobs and reduce job disparities, strengthening job safety nets, and measures for cooperation among member countries.

In addition, an agreement was reached to establish the 'APEC Sustainable Jobs Forum' proposed by Korea. This forum is scheduled to be held for the first time in Seoul next year. It is expected to support ongoing cooperation in the employment and labor sector and to invigorate 'policy diplomacy.'

Participants visiting the Ministry of Employment and Labor support policy promotion booth, a side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting held in Jeju from the 11th to the 13th. Provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor

Senior Representative Kim held bilateral meetings with the senior representatives of Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan, who visited Korea to attend the ministers' meeting. On the 11th, he discussed policy measures for talent development utilizing new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) with Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labor of Thailand. On the 12th, he met with Seiji Tanaka, Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, where they agreed on the need for bilateral cooperation to expand the participation of older adults in the labor market and discussed related policy measures.

Senior Representative Kim stated, "Through the APEC Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting and bilateral meetings, we were able to further expand the foundation for cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries in the field of employment and labor," and added, "Going forward, we will actively share and disseminate Korea's policy experiences and, based on mutual solidarity, respond together to changes in the future labor market."

Meanwhile, after the conclusion of this meeting, Vice Minister Yu Jiadong of China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and others plan to visit the Seoul Employment Welfare+ Center to observe Korea's employment service policies firsthand. Kuan Ming Low, Director-General of Singapore, will visit the Ministry of Employment and Labor, while Ellen Hoelscher, Director-General of Canada, will hold discussions on digital job training and policies for responding to an aging population.