Latest news with #KCTU
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Umbrella labor group set to begin large-scale strike
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of the nation's largest umbrella labor groups, was set to launch a large-scale strike to demand the government adopt a pro-labor act. As part of the two-day strike, scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday, the 1.2 million-strong KCTU will hold a rally at 3 p.m. in Yeouido, western Seoul, and simultaneously stage rallies in 12 other regions. The KCTU estimated that around 10,000 members will take part in Seoul, with a total of 30,000 expected nationwide. Another large-scale rally and march is planned for Saturday in central Seoul. "This is our determined action to guarantee fundamental labor rights for all workers and resolve social inequality," the KCTU said, urging the Lee Jae Myung government to withdraw what it described as anti-labor policies of the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The union is demanding revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, also known as the "yellow envelope law," aimed at limiting companies from making claims for damages against legitimate labor union disputes. The legislation passed the National Assembly twice but was vetoed by Yoon amid opposition from business lobbies and the People Power Party. They argued that the bill would make it difficult for employers to file complaints against illegal strikes by their workers and exempt laborers from liability for participating in them. The KCTU also called for substantial labor reforms to protect the labor rights of platform and special-contract workers and to address deepening inequality. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Labor group to stage large-scale strike this month
One of the nation's largest umbrella labor groups, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said Wednesday it will stage a two-day, large-scale strike later this month to demand the government again push for a pro-labor act. Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the 1.2 million-strong KCTU, also called on the government to immediately scrap "anti-labor" policies by the previous Yoon Suk Yeol government. The KCTU said it will stage strike rallies nationwide on July 16, including in central Seoul, followed by another rally and march on July 19. The union also renewed its calls for revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, also known as the "yellow envelope law," aimed at limiting companies from making claims for damages against legitimate labor union disputes. The legislation passed the National Assembly twice but was vetoed by Yoon amid opposition from business lobbies and the People Power Party. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Next stop Labor Ministry: Train driver's rise to Cabinet gets mixed reaction
First blue-collar pick for labor chief draws praise — and fears of union sway When President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks were unveiled Monday afternoon, Kim Young-hoon was in the driver's seat — literally. The 57-year-old train driver, who was operating a train between Gimcheon and Busan with his phone turned off, says he didn't learn of his historic nomination until an hour after the news broke. Only after completing his shift and stepping off the train in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, did Kim hear from colleagues that he had been tapped as South Korea's next labor minister, he told Yonhap. The nomination marks a milestone: Kim is set to become the country's first blue-collar worker to head the Ministry of Employment and Labor. His selection by the liberal president has drawn both praise and skepticism, highlighting the growing debate over labor representation at the top levels of policymaking. Kim also brings a decade of experience in labor activism. He led the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions from 2010 to 2012, during the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative businessman-turned-politician. The KCTU is the largest labor group in Korea, representing some 1.2 million workers. Known for its combative stance, the KCTU has frequently clashed with conservative governments, staging nationwide strikes and sit-in protests over labor rights and policy disputes. In the past, some of its strikes have also involved violence. Though he has to go through a confirmation hearing, Kim is the first-ever KCTU member nominated for the role of labor minister. Since the Ministry of Employment and Labor was established in 2010, labor ministers have typically chosen from among government officials, administrators, professors and legislators. The public reaction was a mixed bag, ranging from online congratulations to deep distrust regarding the nominee's KCTU, blue-collar background. Jang Seong-cheol, a political commentator and a former aide to the conservative People Power Party, questioned whether Kim could manage his administrative duties effectively regardless of his career in a local radio show 'Kim Hyun Jung's News Show' on Tuesday. 'Managing the administrative affairs in a ministry is a serious responsibility. And there's a real risk of being surrounded and swayed by bureaucrats,' Jang said. 'And if Kim strongly believes the Labor Ministry should be more pro-labor and focused on creating policies favorable to workers, he might appoint those who fully share his vision. But this could lead to serious conflict between the minister's office and the ministry itself,' he added. Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, criticized Kim's nomination, warning that it signals the start of the KCTU's political agenda seeping into government policy. The presidential office said that Kim was nominated as a figure who has represented workers. 'We expect him to play a key role in strengthening the rights of working people by working with different issues such as industrial accidents, the 'Yellow Envelope Law' and a 4.5-day workweek system,' said Kang Hoon-sik, the chief of staff to the president, in Monday's briefing. On Monday, the KCTU and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, South Korea's other major labor group, lambasted the Labor Ministry for failing to represent the voices of workers, fueling conflict, and turning a blind eye to widespread discrimination in the workplace. 'Lee's government must abandon the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's anti-labor policies and pursue a major shift in state affairs to guarantee labor rights. The union expects the labor minister nominee to fully recognize the pressing tasks of our time and to faithfully fulfill his duties as the Labor Minister in guaranteeing workers' rights,' the KCTU said in an official statement. The FKTU also urged Kim not to rely on political parties' stances, economic reasoning or bureaucratic minds. The union expressed its hopes for the labor minister nominee to pursue meaningful progress through social dialogue and consensus between workers, management and government.
Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Train driver's rise to South Korea's cabinet gets mixed reaction
Mr Kim Young-hoon is set to become the country's first blue-collar worker to head the Ministry of Employment and Labour. PHOTO: EPA-EFE SEOUL - When South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks were unveiled on June 23 afternoon, Mr Kim Young-hoon was in the driver's seat — literally. The 57-year-old train driver, who was operating a train between Gimcheon and Busan with his phone turned off, says he did not learn of his historic nomination until an hour after the news broke. Only after completing his shift and stepping off the train in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, did Mr Kim hear from colleagues that he had been tapped as South Korea's next labour minister, he told Yonhap. The nomination marks a milestone: Mr Kim is set to become the country's first blue-collar worker to head the Ministry of Employment and Labour. His selection by the liberal president has drawn both praise and scepticism, highlighting the growing debate over labour representation at the top levels of policymaking. Mr Kim also brings a decade of experience in labour activism. He led the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) from 2010 to 2012, during the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative businessman-turned-politician. The KCTU is the largest labour group in Korea, representing some 1.2 million workers. Known for its combative stance, the KCTU has frequently clashed with conservative governments, staging nationwide strikes and sit-in protests over labour rights and policy disputes. In the past, some of its strikes have also involved violence. Though he has to go through a confirmation hearing, Mr Kim is the first-ever KCTU member nominated for the role of labour minister. Since the Ministry of Employment and Labour was established in 2010, labour ministers have typically chosen from among government officials, administrators, professors and legislators. The public reaction was a mixed bag, ranging from online congratulations to deep distrust regarding the nominee's KCTU, blue-collar background. Mr Jang Seong-cheol, a political commentator and a former aide to the conservative People Power Party, questioned whether Mr Kim could manage his administrative duties effectively regardless of his career in a local radio show 'Kim Hyun Jung's News Show' on June 24. 'Managing the administrative affairs in a ministry is a serious responsibility. And there's a real risk of being surrounded and swayed by bureaucrats,' Mr Jang said. 'And if Mr Kim strongly believes the Labour Ministry should be more pro-labour and focused on creating policies favorable to workers, he might appoint those who fully share his vision. But this could lead to serious conflict between the minister's office and the ministry itself,' he added. Representative Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, criticised Mr Kim's nomination, warning that it signals the start of the KCTU's political agenda seeping into government policy. The presidential office said that Mr Kim was nominated as a figure who has represented workers. 'We expect him to play a key role in strengthening the rights of working people by working with different issues such as industrial accidents, the 'Yellow Envelope Law' and a 4.5-day workweek system,' said Mr Kang Hoon-sik, the chief of staff to the president, in a briefing on June 23. On June 23, the KCTU and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, South Korea's other major labour group, lambasted the Labour Ministry for failing to represent the voices of workers, fueling conflict, and turning a blind eye to widespread discrimination in the workplace. 'Lee's government must abandon the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's anti-labour policies and pursue a major shift in state affairs to guarantee labour rights. The union expects the labour minister nominee to fully recognize the pressing tasks of our time and to faithfully fulfill his duties as the Labour Minister in guaranteeing workers' rights,' the KCTU said in an official statement. The FKTU also urged Mr Kim not to rely on political parties' stances, economic reasoning or bureaucratic minds. The union expressed its hopes for the labour minister nominee to pursue meaningful progress through social dialogue and consensus between workers, management and government. THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
From tracks to Cabinet: Locomotive engineer's rise to S. Korea's labor policy chief draws mixed responses
First blue-collar pick for labor chief draws praise — and fears of union sway When President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks were unveiled Monday afternoon, Kim Young-hoon was in the driver's seat — literally. The 57-year-old locomotive engineer, who was operating a local train between Gimcheon and Busan with his phone turned off, didn't learn of his historic nomination until an hour after the news broke. Only after completing his shift and stepping off the train in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, did Kim hear from colleagues that he had been tapped as South Korea's next labor minister. The nomination marks a milestone: Kim is set to become the country's first blue-collar worker to head the Ministry of Employment and Labor. His selection by the liberal president has drawn both praise and skepticism, highlighting the growing debate over labor representation at the top levels of policymaking. Kim also brings a decadelong track record in labor activism. He led the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions from 2010 to 2012, during the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak, a conservative businessman-turned-politician. The KCTU is the largest labor umbrella group, representing some 1.2 million workers. Known for its combative stance, the KCTU has frequently clashed with conservative governments, staging nationwide strikes and sit-in protests over labor rights and policy disputes. In the past, some of its strikes have also involved violence. Though he has to go through a confirmation hearing, Kim is the first-ever KCTU member nominated for the role of labor minister. Since the Ministry of Employment and Labor was established in 2010, labor ministers have typically been named among government officials, administrators, professors and legislators. A mixed bag of emotions was shared among the public, ranging from online congratulations to deep distrust regarding the nominee's KCTU and blue-collar backgrounds. Jang Seong-cheol, a political commentator and a former aide to the conservative People Power Party, questioned whether Kim can manage his administrative duties effectively regardless of his career in a local radio show 'Kim Hyun Jung's News Show' on Tuesday. 'Managing the administrative affairs in a ministry is a serious responsibility. And there's a real risk of being surrounded and swayed by bureaucrats,' Jang said. 'And if Kim strongly believes the Labor Ministry should be more pro-labor and focused on creating policies favorable to workers, he might appoint those who fully share his vision. But this could lead to serious conflict between the minister's office and the ministry itself,' he added. Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, criticized Kim's nomination, warning that it signals the start of the KCTU's political agenda seeping into government policy. The presidential office said that Kim was nominated as a figure who has represented workers. 'We expect him to play a key role in strengthening the rights of working people by working with different issues such as industrial accidents, the "Yellow Envelope Law" and a 4.5-day workweek system,' said Kang Hoon-sik, the chief of staff to the president, in Monday's briefing. On Monday, the KCTU and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, South Korea's other major labor group, lambasted the Labor Ministry for failing to represent the voices of workers, fueling conflict, and turning a blind eye to widespread discrimination in the workplace. 'Lee's government must abandon the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's anti-labor policies and pursue a major shift in state affairs to guarantee labor rights. The union expects the labor minister nominee to fully recognize the pressing tasks of our time and to faithfully fulfill his duties as the Labor Minister in guaranteeing workers' rights,' the KCTU said in an official statement. The FKTU also urged Kim not to rely on political parties' stance, economic reasoning or bureaucratic minds. The union expressed its hopes for the labor minister nominee to pursue meaningful progress through social dialogue and consensus between workers, management and government.
