Tag: labor ministry

labor ministry

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Gov't to closely monitor job market as Middle East violence resumes

The government will closely monitor weak hiring in manufacturing and construction as renewed Middle East tensions threaten Korea’s labor market despite a modest rebound in June employment.

2026.7.16

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon speaks during an event at the R.ENA Convention Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on May 6. [YONHAP]

Gov't signals reluctance to use emergency powers to stall Samsung Electronics strike

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon signaled the government’s reluctance to use its emergency powers to forestall a looming strike at Samsung Electronics, stressing that management and labor should continue negotiations “until the very end.”

2026.5.13

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The entrance to the Samsung Biologics facility in Songdo, Incheon, on May 4. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

Samsung Biologics strike continues as talks with union break down despite government mediation

Talks between Samsung Biologics and its union broke down on Monday despite government mediation, raising the risk of a prolonged strike that has already caused losses of 150 billion won ($101 million).

2026.5.4

Members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union chant slogans in front of the Blue House in Jongno District, Seoul, during a press conference announcing the results of a survey on non-regular workers in the public sector on March 24. [YONHAP]

Pay gap between regular, nonregular workers widens to largest in a decade: Labor Ministry

The wage gap between regular and non-regular workers in Korea widened last year to its largest level in a decade, government data showed Thursday.

2026.4.30

Officials are seen during a raid of the Ministry of Labor and Employment as part of its compulsory investigation into allegations of unpaid severance pay for Coupang employees at the government complex in Sejong on Jan. 27. [NEWS1]

Special prosecutors raid Labor Ministry as part of investigation into Coupang's unpaid severance pay

A special counsel team raided the Labor Ministry Tuesday as part of its compulsory investigation into allegations of unpaid severance pay for Coupang employees.

2026.1.27

Ships are under construction at Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang, on Oct. 30, 2025. [NEWS1]

Labor Ministry investigates Hanwha Ocean over allegations of unfair labor practices, union interference

The Ministry of Employment and Labor launched an investigation into Hanwha Ocean over allegations of unfair labor practices and union interference that were raised during last year’s parliamentary audit.

2026.1.13

A large crane and a vessel under construction are seen at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang, on Oct. 30. [NEWS1]

Hanwha Ocean shipyard raided over fatal platform collapse accident

Police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted a raid on Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang, in connection with a accident that occurred in October that left one subcontract worker dead.

2025.11.27

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon delivers opening remarks during a labor policy meeting at the government complex in Sejong on Nov. 20. [NEWS1]

Labor minister voices need to pass bill to raise retirement age by year-end

Labor Minister called for legislative efforts Thursday to raise the statutory retirement age by the end of this year, while emphasizing that both companies and labor groups should reach a compromise amid the nation's rapidly aging population.

2025.11.20

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon speaks at the kickoff meeting of the task force for reducing actual working hours at the LW Convention Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Sept. 24. [YONHAP]

Gov't launches task force with unions, business leaders on 4.5-day workweek

The government launched a task force with unions, business leaders and experts on Wednesday to chart a road map toward a 4.5-day workweek. The government plans to submit legislation based on the road map within the year.

2025.9.24

The accident site after a trench collapsed during a sewage pipe replacement project at Eunma Apartment complex in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, southern Seoul is seen on June 13. [YONHAP]

One worker dead, another injured after trench collapse in Seoul's Daechi-dong neighborhood

A construction worker was killed and another injured Friday when a trench collapsed during a sewage pipe replacement project at the Eunma Apartment complex in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, southern Seoul, according to police and fire authorities.

2025.6.13