Choi Tae-won: "Labor-Management Relations Are Like Sharing a Meal"... Kim Ji-hyung: "We Need a Partnership to Expand the Pie"

Kim Ji-hyung, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, Visits KCCI
Consensus on Cooperation Reached with Choi Tae-won and Others
Kim Ji-hyung: "To Be Partners, We Must Not Be Greedy at the Table"
"Aiming to Create a Forum for Balanced Dialogue and Public Discussion"
Choi Tae-won: "With the Spirit of Sharing a Meal Together"
"Hoping to Seek Creative Ways for Coexistence in a Mature Society"

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kim Ji-hyung, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, met at the Chamber Lounge of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 16th and pledged mutual cooperation. This meeting took place as Chairman Kim visited the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to pay his respects following his inauguration.

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kim Ji-hyung, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, greet each other ahead of the executive meeting held on the 16th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. 2025.12.16 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Chairman Kim proposed and emphasized building a partnership between the two organizations. He stated, "Social dialogue is not an easy task," and added, "What we consider most important is partnership." He continued, "If we think about taking more from the table in front of us, or worry that our share will decrease because of the other party, then we cannot call each other partners. I want to emphasize a partnership where we work together to expand the pie."

Chairman Kim also said, "I understand that Chairman Choi has been a leading advocate for corporate activities that create social value. Our social dialogue is in that same context," and added, "We aim to create a forum where we can engage in balanced conversation, public discussion, and deliberation, so that the spirit of partnership can grow within social dialogue."

Chairman Choi responded, "I believe that labor-management relations are like sharing a meal as members of the same family," and added, "With the spirit of eating together, I will do what I can through the Chamber."

He further stated, "As society matures, I hope we can creatively seek new ways to coexist. The National Assembly has launched a form of dialogue similar to social dialogue. If the National Assembly leads its own dialogue while working harmoniously with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, I believe we can have even more creative discussions."

He also added, "Some discussions can be held in a formal manner, but the dialogue in the National Assembly does not seem to follow a set framework or form. Even if the content is the same, we can structure it differently by having these conversations in various forms."