From Labor to Management... Government Expands Tripartite Dialogue Through Consultative Bodies

Launch of Deputy-Representative-Level Consultative Body Between Ministry and Employers Federation
Vice Minister Kwon Changjoon: "Expanding the Foundation for Social Dialogue"

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has expanded tripartite dialogue channels by launching a regular consultative body with employers, following the one established with labor.

On the afternoon of the 24th, the ministry announced that it had launched a deputy-representative-level consultative body with the Korea Employers Federation at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office. The event was attended by Lee Donggeun, Vice Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, and Kwon Changjoon, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor.

Previously, the government launched deputy-representative-level consultative bodies with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions on the 9th and with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on the 11th. With the launch of this consultative body for employers, the government has completed a regular communication structure with both labor and management.

At the 2026 tripartite New Year's reception held at the Yongsan Peace and Park Convention on the 8th of last month, Seo Jongsu, executive vice chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (from left), Kim Yeonghun, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Son Kyungshik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, are making a toast. Yonhap News Agency.

The Economic Policy Consultative Body was established to allow employers and the government to exchange broad views on pending issues surrounding key labor policies and to enhance policy acceptability. It will operate with a structure that combines monthly working-level meetings and quarterly deputy-representative-level meetings.

The government plans to use the operation of regular consultative bodies with both labor and management to reflect on-site opinions in a balanced manner and to minimize conflict in the policy implementation process. Taking the launch of this consultative body as an opportunity, the government aims to broaden the scope of tripartite dialogue and build a foundation for promoting labor policies with stronger acceptance at the workplace.

Vice Minister Kwon stated, "Amid a complex crisis involving industrial transition, demographic change, and the reorganization of the global order, the only way to solve problems is through multilayered and multifaceted dialogue," adding, "We will expand the foundation for social dialogue through consultative bodies with both labor and management."

In his opening remarks, Vice Chairman Lee highlighted the need to improve the labor market structure, citing entrenched low growth, worsening youth employment, and difficulties in responding to changes in industrial structure. He presented the improvement of the working-hours system, the transition to a job- and performance-based compensation system, and the enhancement of labor market flexibility as key tasks, and said, "I hope this consultative body will become a forum of trust that finds practical solutions based on mutual understanding."