Social Dialogue Resumes After 1 Year and 3 Months

The plenary session of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC) convened at the Blue House on the 19th, resuming social dialogue after approximately one year and three months. President Lee Jae-myung's direct participation marks the first time in eight years that a sitting president has attended, signaling his commitment to communication with labor.

ESLC Chairman Kim Ji-hyung stated, "This launch carries special significance as it goes beyond merely resuming long-suspended social dialogue to opening a new era of 'Social Dialogue 2.0'."

Seven Committees Formed, Focus on Reducing Polarization

Labor, management, and government adopted the 'Tripartite Joint Declaration for Overcoming Crisis in Times of Transition, Reducing Gaps, and Achieving Sustainable Growth' at the plenary session, pledging to overcome the polarization crisis including the deepening dual structure of the labor market.

In particular, they agreed to establish seven committees, including a Labor-Management Win-Win Committee for AI Transition Response and a Special Committee on Demographic Structure Changes, to discuss resolving job polarization. This represents a commitment by labor, management, and government to jointly address the dual challenges of rapid technological change and population decline.

Following the plenary session, a labor policy forum on the theme of reducing polarization was held with President Lee Jae-myung and committee members in attendance.

The Absence of KCTU

However, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Korea's largest labor organization, continued its 27-year boycott of the ESLC. The KCTU's absence leaves persistent questions about the representativeness and effectiveness of social dialogue.

Some within the labor community have raised concerns that with the ESLC operating centered around the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), the voices of irregular workers and employees of small and medium-sized enterprises may not be adequately reflected.