Newly appointed Vice Minister of Employment and Labor Kwon Chang-jun said, "We will reform the labor inspection system to address issues in the labor field," adding, "We will push for improvements to laws and systems to ensure the unimpeded implementation of key pledges, such as the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act (yellow envelope law)."
Vice Minister Kwon noted in his inaugural speech on the 27th, "Immediate measures will be put in place to inspect various issues in the field to ensure that there are no unjust situations, such as wage arrears or industrial accidents while working."
He said, "We will reform the first employment safety net, employment insurance, based on income to protect more people robustly, and expand and reform the second employment safety net, the National Employment Support System, to enhance the public's perception, including young job seekers." He added, "We will prepare tailored measures for young people engaged in job-seeking activities, those who have given up seeking jobs, young people employed in small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporations looking to hire young people."
He emphasized, "We will significantly reduce industrial accident fatalities" and said, "We will continuously improve the industrial accident insurance system to ensure that anyone who is injured or becomes ill while working can receive adequate treatment and return to work without worrying about living costs."
Vice Minister Kwon stated, "We will support the expansion of parental leave, flexible working, and the reduction of actual working hours to make work-life balance possible," and he added, "We will also pursue support measures for extending the retirement age, reemployment for middle-aged and older individuals, and ensuring income in old age through social dialogue."
He stated that the promotion of these initiatives must stem from the concerns and efforts of labor, management, and government stakeholders, saying, "Labor, management, and government will work together to foster a culture of dialogue and compromise to achieve true growth in Korea."
Meanwhile, Vice Minister Kwon, appointed as of that day, began his duties without a separate inauguration ceremony. The Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "This is a measure considering the severe domestic job situation."