Minister Hongkeun Park of Planning and Budget Holds First Meeting with FKTU: "Labor Sector's Views Will Be Closely Reflected in Next Year's Budget"

First-Ever Meeting Between Planning and Budget Minister and Labor Leader Since Launch
FKTU Proposes Improved Conditions for Government Workers and Support for Care Personnel

As the Ministry of Planning and Budget prepares to draft the budget for next year and establish the country's mid- to long-term development strategy, the ministry has engaged with labor leaders to gather input directly from the field.

Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Budget Park Honggeun is speaking during a meeting with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions. Ministry of Planning and Budget.

On July 20, Minister Hongkeun Park of the Ministry of Planning and Budget visited the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) for the first time since the ministry's launch. He discussed labor issues and pledged to expand tangible fiscal support to improve working conditions and strengthen the social safety net.

On this day, FKTU Chairman Dongmyung Kim attended the meeting, along with Executive Vice Chairmen Sukyoon Kang, Gabyoung Park, Mira Choi, and Hyunjin Kim. Labor representatives presented a wide array of suggestions, highlighting both workplace challenges and proposals to enhance labor and welfare systems. Chairman Kim identified key priorities such as improving the working conditions of government-employed workers, recognizing the experience of long-term care providers, and supporting substitute personnel for care workers. In addition, labor leaders called for a separate maternity protection program under employment insurance, increased government support for the national health insurance system, expanded support for care services, and strengthened policies for industrial accident prevention to bolster the overall social safety net.

In response, Minister Park referenced the government’s measures announced in April to improve the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector and explained the government's commitment to closing labor market gaps and alleviating employment instability.

Minister Park stated, "Amid structural changes such as low birth rates, an aging population, and the industrial transition to artificial intelligence (AI), we will strengthen the employment base and the social safety net while maintaining fiscal sustainability. We will closely consider the labor sector’s recommendations, including proposals to improve workers’ treatment, during the budget formulation process for next year and in the operation of the Public Workers Committee, which will be fully launched starting in September."

The Ministry of Planning and Budget plans to continue its engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including the labor sector. The ministry stated, "We will continue to increase investment in areas where people can feel the impact in their daily lives, such as improving working conditions and strengthening the social safety net."

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