President Lee Jae Myung Meets Leaders of Two Major Labor Federations, Says "A Decision on Extending the Retirement Age Is Needed This Year"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung invited Kim Dong-myung, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), and Kyung-soo Yang, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), to an informal tea meeting on the 3rd to exchange views on recent labor issues, including the Mega Project, and efforts to promote social dialogue.
Kang Yoo-jung, senior spokesperson for Cheong Wa Dae, announced this in a written briefing that day.
Kang said that President Lee and the leaders of the two major labor federations agreed that legislation on extending the retirement age, which had been discussed over the past year by the National Assembly Special Committee on Extending the Retirement Age, needs to produce a result within the year through deliberation in the National Assembly that reflects various interests.
President Lee also welcomed the start of discussions within the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on returning to social dialogue. He asked the two major labor federations to find solutions through full-fledged social dialogue involving both of them, as the country faces numerous national challenges that labor, management, and the government must address together, including the AI-driven transformation of work and the resolution of K-shaped polarization.
Regarding the Mega Project, he emphasized its national importance and said that its successful implementation is essential for future generations and for strengthening the country's competitiveness.
In response, the leaders of the two major labor federations proposed that close communication with labor and labor's active participation are necessary for the project's success. They also conveyed their view that labor-related issues in the Mega Special Zone Act currently under discussion, including exceptions to the 52-hour workweek, should be resolved through social dialogue involving labor and management.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter