New Year’s Address
Distinguished citizens of Korea, and dear members of the labor, management, and government community,
The hopeful dawn of the Year of the Byeong-o (丙午), 2026, has arrived. As we welcome the Year of the “Red Horse,” I sincerely hope that, like a powerful horse galloping across the land, renewed vitality will fill our economy and the lives of our people.
Today, we stand at the crossroads of an unprecedented complex transition. This crisis cannot be overcome by the efforts of any single actor alone. It is a difficult journey that can only be navigated through the collective wisdom and solidarity of all our people.
Toward the Era of Social Dialogue 2.0
Since assuming office, I have given deep thought to what genuine social dialogue should look like. Through meetings with representatives of labor, management, and government, I came to reaffirm a shared belief: dialogue is the only true path to healing conflict and moving toward the future.
Furthermore, through extensive discussions with experts and senior figures from labor and management, I have concluded that the Economic, Social and Labor Council must move beyond merely resuming stalled social dialogue. It must evolve into a more advanced platform—one grounded in deliberation and attentive listening, and open to meaningful public participation.
To this end, I would like to pursue three key directions.
First, we will introduce a public participation–based deliberation model. The true owners of social dialogue are the people. We will open pathways for citizens to directly propose agendas and take part in discussions on major social issues, ensuring that core challenges affecting everyday life are identified and addressed together with the public.
Second, we will boldly expand the range of participating stakeholders. While respecting the roles of labor, management, and government, we will ensure that the voices of youth, women, older persons, platform workers, unorganized workers, migrant workers, and small business owners are meaningfully reflected.
Third, we will support field-oriented dialogue centered on regions and industries. Crises in jobs and industries are felt most acutely at the workplace. The Economic, Social and Labor Council will serve as a reliable partner, helping on-the-ground stakeholders find solutions tailored to regional and sector-specific challenges.
Cooperation and Solidarity
What Korea needs most at this moment is cooperation and solidarity to design our nation’s future. I earnestly ask labor, management, and government to return to the original spirit of partnership that marked the beginning of social dialogue—placing the well-being of our community first and playing an active role in preparing for future generations.
Shaping the Future Together with the People
So that the everyday concerns of our citizens may become the foundation of policies that build a better future for Korea, the Economic, Social and Labor Council will remain open in its attitude, listen with care, and lead thoughtful deliberation as an inclusive platform.
I ask for your strong interest and active participation in the newly launched Social Dialogue 2.0.
Thank you.
December 31, 2025
Kim Ji-hyung
Chairman
Economic, Social and Labor Council of Korea
