Good morning.

I am Kwon Gi-seob, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council.

I extend my sincere congratulations on the opening of today's "Forum for Establishing a Rational Employment Extension System."

I express my gratitude to National Assembly Member Kim Wi-sang and all related officials for arranging this meaningful event, and to all the experts who have taken on the roles of presenters and discussants today.

Our nation is currently facing a dual challenge: the full-fledged entry into a super-aged society, coupled with a shrinking labor supply and a decline in growth potential.

To respond to this transitional period, we must create conditions for the elderly to work longer based on their accumulated capabilities, and simultaneously establish a foundation for young people to stably enter the labor market.

The employment extension system should not be a policy for a specific generation, but rather a comprehensive and balanced policy that harmoniously encompasses the labor market participation of all generations.

A structure must be established that transforms the skills and experience of the elderly into assets for organizations and industries, while stably providing young people with opportunities to prepare for the future and develop their capabilities.

On May 8, the Economic, Social and Labor Council announced the "Public Interest Committee's Proposal on Institutionalizing the Obligation of Continued Employment for the Elderly" through its Committee on Continued Employment.

This proposal comprehensively considers transitional policy alternatives that universally guarantee continued employment after the age of 60, while also addressing productivity-based wage systems, job redesign, labor market structural improvements, and guaranteed youth employment.

Such a system is not solely a response for the elderly. It must be designed in harmony with employment opportunities for young people, along with policy safeguards for intergenerational coexistence.

In that regard, today's forum is expected to be an important milestone in comprehensively reviewing the desirable direction and design principles of the employment extension system, and in deriving practical alternatives applicable to the field.

The Economic, Social and Labor Council will continue to actively support the establishment of a sustainable labor market structure based on trust between labor, management, and government, and to facilitate effective social dialogue.

Especially in the process of concretizing the employment extension system, we will fulfill our responsible role to ensure that policy feasibility and on-site acceptability are closely linked.

I hope that today's forum will be a meaningful platform for discussion to establish a "rational employment extension system," and I wish health and happiness to all attendees.

Thank you.