The Economic, Social and Labor Council (Chairperson Kim Moon-soo, hereinafter referred to as the ESLC) held its 13th Plenary Session at 09:30 on February 6th at the ESLC.

This Plenary Session was the first tripartite dialogue of labor, management, and government.

Since the Federation of Korean Trade Unions returned to the ESLC on November 13th, 2023, and brought in and resolved five related items, including the agenda, discussion method, and principles and direction of social dialogue.

Before the Plenary Session, labor, management and government agreed and signed a declaration on principles and direction of social dialogue for sustainable jobs and future generations.

The background to adopting the declaration was the recognition that joint efforts among labor, management, and government were necessary in order to overcome the national crisis in line with rapid environmental change and structural crisis.

Chairperson Kim Moon-soo emphasized that “sincere dialogue among labor, management, and government is absolutely needed to overcome the national crisis.”

He also said, “I will ensure that the Economic, Social and Labor Council will provide a forum for active dialogue,” and added, “I hope that the miracle of meeting, dialogue, and coexistence will continue.”

On this day, President Yoon Suk-yeol invited the members of ESLC to the Yongsan Presidential Office for a luncheon meeting to encourage new social dialogue.

President Yoon said that “labor-management issues are not simple issues between groups with different interests, but should be discussed within the larger framework of sustainability of this society,” and emphasized that “if we communicate with a sense of common purpose, there will be no problem that cannot be resolved.”