Ministry of Labor to Address Labor Market Gaps and Drive Industrial Transformation with Labor at the Core

Minister Kim Younghoon Reports to President
"Legislating the Principle of Equal Pay for Equal Work"

On December 11, Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated regarding the future direction of his work, "We will focus on closing labor market gaps and responding to the major industrial transformation where labor is present."

At a work briefing held that afternoon at the Sejong Convention Center, attended by President Lee Jaemyung and Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Minister Kim said, "Under the vision of a country where everyone can work happily, we will fully implement policies that respect labor and life," expressing his commitment.

Minister Kim added, "Since the launch of the People’s Sovereignty Government, we have boldly shifted the direction of employment and labor policy toward a framework that values labor and life. Moving forward, we will realize the mandate of the people through on-site engagement, concrete implementation, and tangible results."

Reflecting on the past six months of policy shifts, Minister Kim said, "We have devoted all efforts to protecting the lives and safety of workers through on-site industrial safety inspections, establishing comprehensive measures to fundamentally address serious industrial accidents, and implementing measures to eradicate wage arrears. We have also laid the foundation for respecting labor by amending the Trade Union Act and restoring Labor Day for the first time in 62 years."

He also pointed out future challenges, stating, "Structural disparities persist, such as the increase in fatal accidents at workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, the growing amount of unpaid wages, and employment difficulties faced by 700,000 young people in their 20s and 30s who are classified as 'resting' youth."

Minister Kim Younghoon Reporting on Work (Sejong=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Dohun = Kim Younghoon, Minister of Labor, is reporting on departmental work at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Rural Development Administration and Korea Forest Service) and the Ministry of Employment and Labor work briefing held at the Government Sejong Convention Center in Sejong City on the 11th. On the left is Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. December 11, 2025 [Presidential Office Press Photographers Group] Photo by Kim Dohun (End)

Regarding youth policy, he explained, "We will expand the definition of youth to age 34, providing active support not only to those in their 20s but also to those in their 30s. Through the 'First Step Youth Employment Guarantee Program,' the government will take a proactive approach to support young people."

On industrial safety, he stated, "We will secure 'policy checkpoints' to ensure safety policies reach even small businesses, and we will strengthen workers' participation and rights through the expansion of the right to stop work and the public disclosure of occupational safety and health information."

Regarding reducing working hours and closing wage gaps, Minister Kim said, "We will establish a roadmap to reduce actual working hours to the OECD average, promote the prohibition of the comprehensive wage system, and legislate the right to disconnect. We will also legislate the principle of equal pay for work of equal value to enhance wage fairness."

On major industrial transformation, he said, "Rather than AI replacing people, we are entering an era where those who can use AI will have jobs. To this end, we will promote the 'AI+Competency Enhancement' project. We will also introduce a basic law and a worker presumption system to ensure that special-type and platform workers are not excluded from the protection of labor laws."

Minister Kim stated, "We will work to eliminate blind spots in employment insurance, establish a region-led job creation system, and designate special zones for a just transition, thereby providing a robust employment safety net for all."

He concluded, "The mission of the Ministry of Employment and Labor is to realize the spirit of Article 32 of the Constitution, which states 'all citizens have the right to work,' by achieving workplace democracy and completing K-democracy. We will become 'our Ministry of Labor' that is the first to respond when workers face injustice or hardship."

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