Kim Minseok on Lee's '4.5-Day Workweek Pledge': "A Direction Has Been Suggested... Further Discussion Needed"

On Legalizing Publication Commemoration Events
"It Seems Acceptable"

Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim commented on the 4.5-day workweek, which was one of President Lee Jaemyung's presidential campaign pledges, saying, "It is a broad direction that has been suggested for now," and added, "The implementation plan needs to be further discussed."

Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim is responding to a question from Jinu Woo, a member of the People Power Party, during the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

During the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on this day, Kim stated, "I understand that the President did not propose the pledge with a specific timetable or a step-by-step plan for where to start," clarifying his position.

Kim explained, "Reducing the number of working days is a direction that can be considered in line with global trends and human nature." However, he also emphasized, "When it comes to introducing this into real-world policy, there are many issues that need to be discussed, such as where to start, what impact it will have on the economy, how economic compensation will be handled, and whether we can manage it."

Regarding the issue of extending the retirement age, he said, "If I become Prime Minister, I am considering commissioning a full-scale study on this by a government-affiliated think tank." He added, "Interestingly, our recent surveys have found that, unexpectedly, public opinion among the younger generation has become more open to extending the retirement age compared to the past," and assessed this positively.

On President Lee's initiative to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, Kim said, "I am aware that this is being proposed as an alternative to the Supreme Court's complaints about excessive workloads, but also that there are concerns it may be intended to weaken the authority of the justices." He continued, "We need to address both perspectives and determine, from the public's point of view, what changes are necessary for the Supreme Court as a guiding principle. Personally, I do not have a specific position on this issue."

Regarding the amendment to the Political Funds Act proposed by Jinu Woo of the People Power Party, which aims to strengthen transparency in the accounting of politicians' book publication events, Kim said, "Since it is not about banning publication events altogether, I am sympathetic to the proposal," and added, "I also think it would be good to legalize them as much as possible."

He went on to say, "(Reporting the amount could be acceptable) if it applies only to politicians," and added, "However, considering that the current system does not allow political newcomers to receive sponsorship, it might be possible to consider setting a limit, such as three times the book's cover price for sponsorships."