[2026 National Assembly Audit] Kim Younghoon: "Retirement Age Extension Must Pass This Year"... Government Proposal to Be Presented Promptly

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon stressed that a bill to extend the retirement age must be passed within the year. He also said the government would promptly present its proposal once discussions in the National Assembly reach the final decision-making stage. Regarding an exemption from the 52-hour workweek to be included in the Mega Special Zone Special Act, he maintained a cautious position, saying that both corporate productivity and workers' right to health must be considered.

During the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Oct. 13, Minister Kim responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Wi-sang about his commitment to legislation extending the retirement age, saying, “I think it is already late, even if we discuss it today,” and “The bill to extend the retirement age must absolutely be passed within the year.”

Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, walks to deliver his statement after taking the witness oath during a parliamentary audit of the ministry at the National Assembly on Oct. 13, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju

He added, “Since discussions have matured over a long period through the National Assembly’s task force (TF) and other channels, I will promptly present the government’s proposal if I determine that all that remains is a final decision.” His remarks conveyed that, given how long discussions on extending the retirement age have been underway, political resolve is needed to pass the legislation.

He took a cautious stance on allowing an exemption from the 52-hour workweek under the Mega Special Zone Special Act. Asked by People Power Party lawmaker Lee Cheol-gyu about the possibility of an exemption for research and development (R&D) personnel at the Honam Semiconductor Special Zone, Minister Kim replied, “There are many aspects that need to be carefully considered.”

He continued, “For the Mega Special Zone to succeed, corporate productivity and the protection of workers’ right to health must be achieved in harmony.” He added, “The government will not cowardly shift responsibility onto the parties involved. We will responsibly coordinate the dialogue and do our utmost to achieve a good outcome.”

Since September, the government has been holding one-point social dialogue among labor, management and the government on labor-related issues in the Mega Special Zone Special Act. In his opening remarks that day, Minister Kim also said, “The government will not predetermine the outcome, but will serve as a facilitator of dialogue so that the parties can reach an outcome through discussion.”

Addressing concerns that tensions could grow in subcontracting relationships in the public sector following the implementation of the Yellow Envelope Act (the amended Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), he said the government would support labor-government consultations. Minister Kim said, “The Ministry of Employment and Labor will play an active role in ensuring that consultations between public-sector labor unions and the government proceed smoothly.”

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