Discussing Ways to Operationalize a New Model of Social Dialogue in an Era of Multiple Transitions
– The ESLC Should Function as a “Hub” to Promote Industry-, Sector-, and Region-Level Dialogue –
– Reorganizing into a Citizen-Participatory Social Dialogue Model to Strengthen Representativeness and Implementation –
– February 2 (Mon): Forum on “The Launch and Tasks of a New Social Dialogue” Held –
The Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC, Chair Kim Ji-hyung), jointly with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU, President Kim Dong-myeong), the Korea Employers Federation (KEF, Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik), the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI, Chairman Chey Tae-won), and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL, Minister Kim Young-hoon), co-hosted a forum titled “The Launch and Tasks of a New Social Dialogue” at 14:30 on Monday, February 2, at the Korea Press Center.
The forum was organized to establish a new starting point for social dialogue and to explore future agenda items and directions, in response to the complex crises arising from demographic changes, low economic growth, and digital and industrial transformation.
Session 1: Designing a New Social Dialogue Model
In his presentation under the theme “Designing a New Social Dialogue,” Professor Chae Jun-ho of Jeonbuk National University emphasized that “in times of transition, the role of social dialogue in mediating conflicts and seeking solutions becomes even more important.” He proposed that the ESLC should function not only at the national level but also as a “hub” to facilitate dialogue at industry, sectoral, and regional levels.
He further stressed the need to expand social dialogue to include unorganized and vulnerable workers, as well as underrepresented employers, and to promote “grassroots social dialogue” that broadens citizen participation.
Professor Kwon Soon-won of Sookmyung Women’s University Business School, after reviewing social dialogue models in major countries, assessed that “under the current ESLC framework, it is difficult to make swift policy decisions in response to complex crises.” He identified issues of representativeness, legitimacy, and implementation capacity as key challenges facing Korea’s social dialogue system and called for institutional redesign.
In particular, he analyzed structural limitations from the perspectives of transaction costs and principal-agent problems, and proposed a citizen-participatory dual-structure model combining “tripartite consultation (labor-management-government) + citizen deliberation” as an alternative.
Session 2: Panel Discussion
Park Han-jin, Secretary General of the FKTU, pointed out imbalances in existing social dialogue and the insufficient reflection of vulnerable and unorganized workers. He emphasized that key agenda items should include building a trust-based system to ensure implementation of agreements, strengthening employment safety nets during the transition, addressing labor market dualism, and promoting a just transition.
Hwang Yong-yeon, Head of Labor Policy at the KEF, stressed the need for social dialogue to drive labor market and legal reforms suited to the transition period. He stated that consensus should first be built around issues with broad agreement, accumulating trust step by step, and that the ESLC should establish an efficient system for tripartite discussions.
Lee Jong-myeong, Head of Industrial Innovation at the KCCI, noted that as work patterns are rapidly changing due to the spread of AI, the ESLC should prioritize key future-oriented agenda items through “selection and concentration,” shifting from broad, department store-style discussions to performance-oriented, project-based dialogue to enhance implementation.
Lee Bu-yong, Director General for Labor Policy Coordination at MOEL, stated that to respond to the era of multiple transitions, labor, management, and government should utilize the ESLC as a central channel for dialogue, beginning with agenda items that can garner broad public consensus. He added that the government would support efforts to ensure that social dialogue leads to tangible outcomes.
Lee Hee-jin, Co-Representative of the Korea Conflict Resolution Center, emphasized that for the new social dialogue to function effectively, it is crucial to first establish socially acceptable standards and principles through citizen deliberation. Based on these standards, labor, management, and government should design institutions and reach agreements, followed by a phased process in which the government and the National Assembly make final decisions and publicly disclose whether and how the agreements are reflected.
Congratulatory Remarks
Ryu Gi-seop, Secretary General of the FKTU, stressed the need for “multi-layered social dialogue” closely connected to the field to respond effectively during the transition period. He proposed addressing just transition in the context of digital and AI transformation and climate crisis response, as well as substantive labor reforms such as the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek.
Lee Dong-geun, Executive Vice Chairman of the KEF, highlighted the importance of building a labor market that balances flexibility and security and establishing cooperative labor-management relations. He proposed rational improvements to labor laws and institutions, including flexible working hours and reform of seniority-based wage systems, as well as measures to expand youth employment and utilize older workers.
Park Il-jun, Executive Vice Chairman of the KCCI, emphasized that Korea is at a turning point requiring the discovery of new growth engines through industrial transformation, including AI, balanced regional development, and regulatory reform. He expressed hope that the ESLC would position itself not only as a mediator of conflict but as a “wise platform” for jointly designing the nation’s future growth strategy.
Vice Minister Kwon Chang-joon of MOEL underscored the importance of social dialogue in addressing the complex crises facing society and stated that the government would responsibly support the ESLC in reaching trust-based agreements and ensuring their effective implementation in the field.
Closing Remarks
In his opening remarks, Chair Kim Ji-hyung stated, “Social dialogue is not about confrontation or rushing to conclusions, but about sharing common concerns, repeatedly seeking necessary alternatives, and building trust among stakeholders.” He pledged that the ESLC would strive to serve as an open forum that listens attentively to the voices of various social actors and civil society.
Based on the presentations and discussions at the forum, the ESLC plans to further specify the operational model, participation structure, agenda-setting process, and public deliberation framework for social dialogue to effectively respond to the era of multiple transitions.
(Key Agenda Items)
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Redesigning the principles and operational methods of social dialogue
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Establishing agenda-setting and public deliberation models
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Promoting multi-layered dialogue at industry and regional levels
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Addressing transitional challenges and advancing a just transition
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Expanding inclusive representativeness
