Minister Kim Jung-kwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources met Kim Dong-myung, Chairperson of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions. It was the first time in about 20 years since 2006 that the industry Minister met with the FKTU chairperson. Kim asked for a truce in labor-management conflicts to overcome the Middle East war crisis.
On the 30th, Minister Kim visited the Federation of Korean Trade Unions office in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "With the protracted Middle East war, our economy and overall industry are facing a massive crisis."
He added, "To overcome the crisis, labor and management need to concentrate their capabilities and refrain for the time being from unnecessary on-site conflicts," and said, "To ensure energy supply, we ask the labor community to join in conservation efforts."
Minister Kim also sought cooperation on the manufacturing artificial intelligence (AI) transition (MAX). He said, "By using MAX to raise manufacturing productivity and respond nimbly to industrial transition, we can protect the valuable workplaces of corporations and workers."
He continued, "The key to creating stable jobs is expanding regional investment by corporations, and the government will induce regional investment by corporations through groundbreaking incentives," and said, "Let's continue discussions to expand labor flexibility and stability so that quality jobs can be created."
This meeting was arranged at the request of the FKTU. The FKTU reportedly emphasized expanding support and maintaining employment for sectors undergoing industrial transition, such as petrochemicals and steel, and conveyed concerns about job losses due to AI adoption.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) plans to use this meeting as an opportunity to strengthen communication with the labor community.