The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) decided to postpone the emergency forum on distributing excess profits at large corporations, which had been expected to take place on the 1st of next month. The schedule was changed a day after Minister Kim Young-hoon mentioned the need for the forum the previous day.
On the 28th, the ministry said it is readjusting the date of the forum to gather a wide range of views from various sectors. It added that the outline of the forum, including the specific schedule, will be announced as soon as it is finalized.
Minister Kim Young-hoon said at a tea meeting with the press corps the previous day that regarding the issue of distributing excess profits at large corporations, "social dialogue is the only solution," and said he would hold an emergency forum on the 1st of next month.
In response, many critics in some quarters said the government is forcing the distribution of private companies' profits. The Minister also countered on his Facebook page, saying, "It is a groundless speculation that the government will take away large corporations' profits and redistribute them," and, "The government has no authority to forcibly intervene in corporations' legitimate profits."
The postponement of this forum schedule is seen as a response to the continued controversy even after the Minister's rebuttal. In this regard, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said at a briefing that day, "As several tasks to be discussed going forward have been raised, the Minister of Labor said this is an issue our society should discuss openly," adding, "It is the presidential office's position that it would be good to have various opportunities for public discussion through a future forum."