While Ruling Party Hesitates on Retirement Age Extension, Opposition Pushes for Continuous Employment System

Seeking to Differentiate from the Ruling Party

While the ruling party, which had pledged to legislate the extension of the retirement age within the year, has shifted to a more cautious stance, the opposition party is accelerating efforts to legislate the continuous employment system (rehiring after retirement). At the party level, there is a supportive atmosphere, as this is seen as an issue that can differentiate them from the ruling party.

According to political circles on November 21, Kim Hyeongdong, secretary of the People Power Party on the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, has prepared a bill related to extending the retirement age and has submitted it for review by the legislative office. Kim stated, "We are preparing a bill that would either allow for an extension of the retirement age through labor-management agreements or impose a continuous employment obligation based on a new employment contract."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at a policy meeting held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 19, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Woo Jaejun, a member of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee and the party’s chief youth representative, is considering introducing a bill focused on the continuous employment system. He believes this approach can help minimize the impact on youth employment. In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily, Woo said, "We should not extend the retirement age without providing an alternative to the youth employment issue," adding, "I plan to participate in the debate by supplementing existing bills."

Kim Wisang, who previously introduced a related bill, plans to bring attention to the issue through forums and other events next month. Kim’s proposal would require companies to provide continuous employment but allow them to choose between extending the retirement age and rehiring after retirement. The forum will include the Seoul Metro Right Labor Union, known as the 'Millennials & Gen Z Union,' to emphasize that the employment extension system should not reduce youth job opportunities.

The party leadership is also focusing on the retirement age extension issue. The previous day, in order to keep the Lee Jaemyung administration's labor policies in check and present policy alternatives, the party appointed Kim Wisang as chair of the newly established Labor Committee. At a meeting with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on November 19, party leader Jang Donghyuk expressed agreement with the business community’s call for measures such as rehiring after retirement, and also mentioned the need to ensure that youth employment is not reduced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.