"When Your Position Changes, the View Changes"
Kim Younghoon, nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, emphasized on the 24th that issues such as the 4.5-day workweek, the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act), and the extension of the retirement age?matters where labor and management have differing opinions?are "paths that must be taken."
Kim Younghoon, nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, is answering reporters' questions as he enters the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 24th.
Kim made these remarks while speaking with reporters as he arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day. Regarding these issues, Kim stated, "They are powerful tools to overcome the major transition crises we are facing, such as digital transformation, low birth rates and an aging population, demographic changes, and a decline in the labor force."
However, Kim also explained, "I will not push any system or policy solely based on justification or cause," adding, "If there are companies for which the 4.5-day workweek is difficult, I will look into what makes it challenging for them." He continued, "On important issues, labor, management, and government must come together to seek ways to find common interests."
Although he is a former leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), he also stated his intention to consider all issues broadly. He said, "I will always remember my background (KCTU), but now I am a person who administers labor affairs with consideration for all working citizens," adding, "I believe that the view changes when your position changes."
As the most urgent issue he identifies as Minister of Employment and Labor nominee, he pointed to the 'segmentation of the labor market.' He said, "In the past, the focus was on the issues between regular and non-regular workers, but now the number of non-wage workers is increasing," and added, "How to integrate the segmented labor market aligns with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's national policy direction of pursuing growth and integration."
He also said, "The most urgent and important task is to protect the right to work of the many working people who are widely excluded from legal protection, our ordinary neighbors." Regarding how to encourage the KCTU to participate in social dialogue, he explained, "I will not enter into discussions with any predetermined conclusions, but will continue to meet and be open to persuasion."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
