The Ministry of Employment and Labor said on the 25th regarding President Lee Jae-myung's election pledge to introduce a 4.5-day workweek, "Specific details are under discussion with relevant agencies." It also noted that concerns about a decrease in workers' income due to the 4.5-day workweek are being reviewed.
Vice Minister Kim Min-seok said at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee meeting that day in response to a question from People Power Party member Im I-ja about whether the introduction of the 4.5-day workweek means reducing the basic 40-hour workweek to 36 hours, or reducing the 12-hour overtime to 8 hours, "I do not know the specifics," but added, "We will need to see the progress to understand."
The ministry has reportedly submitted plans related to the introduction of the 4.5-day workweek to the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning recently.
In response to Im's question, "Who can specifically answer this?" Deputy Minister Kim Yu-jin said, "We are currently discussing specific details with the relevant agencies," and added, "It is difficult to talk about ongoing matters."
In response to Im's inquiry, "Will there be wage compensation if working hours are reduced?" Deputy Minister Kim replied, "It is under review, including such matters," and stated, "We will look into it comprehensively."
Meanwhile, Kim Young-hoon, nominated as the first Minister of Employment and Labor under the Lee Jae-myung government and a former railway engineer, met with reporters as he started his first day at the personnel hearing preparation office on the 24th, saying, "Reducing working hours is a crucial means to overcome the crises posed by digital transformation, low birth rates, aging, and changes in labor force that confront us," and added, "It is a path we must take."