Seoul: Labor Minister nominee Kim Young-hoon vowed Wednesday to swiftly push for the "yellow envelope bill," aimed at strengthening labor protections, and to pursue a shorter workweek and an extension of the retirement age.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim made the pledge during a parliamentary confirmation hearing, following the nomination of the former head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions as the first labor minister under the Lee Jae Myung government. "If appointed minister, I will immediately work to promote reform legislation through consultations between the party and the government," Kim said. "The law does not encourage illegal strikes but aims to eliminate the root causes of illegality and foster mutual trust between labor and management."
Kim referred to the proposed revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, also known as the yellow envelope law, which seek to broaden labor protections across all employment types and restrict companies from claiming damages against legitimate labor union activities. The legislation passed the National Assembly twice, but was vetoed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol amid opposition from business lobbies and the conservative People Power Party.
As for a 4.5-day workweek, Kim pledged support for leading companies to help the system take root voluntarily in workplaces. "The 4.5-day workweek will begin with pilot programs where feasible, and the government will provide necessary support," Kim said, emphasizing the importance of preventing gaps between large and small companies during implementation.
Regarding the extension of the retirement age, the nominee stressed that it must be implemented within this year. "But it should not be limited to extending the retirement age only for large corporations and public institutions, which are preferred by young people, as it could cause mismatches. We need to carefully address young people's concerns about shrinking job opportunities and pursue social dialogue," Kim said.