Chairperson Kim Ji-hyung of the Economic, Social and Labor Council said on the 5th, "A chairperson who is a former lawyer is the first since the council's launch," adding, "The most urgent task is for the Economic, Social and Labor Council to form a fully constituted deliberative body and restart."
At an inauguration ceremony held in the main conference room of the Economic, Social and Labor Council on the morning of the day, Chairperson Kim said, "Views may differ over the inauguration of a chairperson who is a former lawyer." Kim's term as chairperson of the Economic, Social and Labor Council begins today. The term is two years and may be renewed.
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung appointed former Supreme Court justice Kim Ji-hyung as the new chairperson of the Economic, Social and Labor Council on the 3rd.
Chairperson Kim said, "I am a citizen before I am a lawyer," adding, "I am one of the citizens who hope for a sustainable community."
He added, "On top of that aspiration, though I may be lacking, I will do my utmost in my duty by drawing on various experiences I had as a lawyer beyond trials, such as mediating social conflicts."
Chairperson Kim also said, "The most urgent task is for all participants in labor, management, and government to take part in the Economic, Social and Labor Council without exception—in other words, for the Economic, Social and Labor Council to become a 'fully constituted deliberative body.'" The Economic, Social and Labor Council is a social body that includes labor, management, and government, but the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has not participated since 1998. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions suspended its participation after the Dec. 3 martial law declaration last year and returned in April this year, but there have been no notable results.
Chairperson Kim said, "If it is to rebuild the Economic, Social and Labor Council into a fully constituted deliberative body, I will not hesitate to make repeated earnest visits, or more."
Chairperson Kim said, "The minimum condition for the Economic, Social and Labor Council to fulfill its function as a social dialogue body is communication."
He said, "The basic mode of communication is dialogue," adding, "Dialogue is very difficult." He continued, "It may be much easier to avoid it. However, if you can and should gain something through dialogue, dialogue is worth enduring rough obstacles," and added, "Difficulty is not a reason to avoid it. If you only avoid it because it is difficult, you gain nothing."
Chairperson Kim said, "I will focus on the role of presiding over procedures and acting as a facilitator or mediator," adding, "I will not keep a particular conclusion in mind or try to hastily render a yes-or-no conclusion." He continued, "I will work to tenaciously carry on a deliberative process that repeatedly seeks numerous alternatives," and said, "Instead of setting a deadline for discussion, I will aim to bring discussions to a close only when all participants reach agreement."