On November 11, the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) launched a consultative body aimed at fostering regular communication regarding labor policies. The inaugural meeting took place at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office, attended by KCTU Vice Chair Lee Yang-su and Deputy Minister Kwon Chang-jun, marking the first direct engagement between the government and KCTU since the latter left the Tripartite Commission in 1999. This newly established body signifies a shift from ad hoc task forces focused on specific labor issues to a comprehensive consultative structure intended to address a broader spectrum of labor policy matters.

The labor consultation body consists of an operational committee, which will meet quarterly, and a practical committee intended for monthly discussions. The operational committee features representatives from both the KCTU and the Ministry while the practical committee includes key officials responsible for labor policy from both sides. This arrangement opens the door for more extensive collaboration between labor unions and the government on various issues, potentially leading to more cohesive labor policies that better address the needs of workers in the face of industrial transformation and demographic changes such as low birth rates and an aging population.

Deputy Minister Kwon emphasized the importance of this regular dialogue with the KCTU, stating it will help incorporate workers' voices into policymaking, addressing challenges posed by technological advancements and shifting employment patterns. KCTU Vice Chair Lee highlighted the pressing need for systemic institutional support at the government level to ensure labor rights and union freedoms across all workers, demonstrating a collaborative spirit to tackle the ongoing transformation in the labor market as influenced by artificial intelligence and other factors.