The South Korean Ministry of Labor announced that starting from the 11th, it will begin monitoring 30 local governments that have been found to engage in the practice of 'split contracts'—temporary contracts lasting less than a year. This decision follows findings from a survey conducted in February, which revealed that many public sector establishments were utilizing short-term contracts of 364 days or less to avoid paying severance pay. The government has already prohibited the hiring of temporary workers in ongoing and continuous work since 2018, and aims to reinforce these regulations by scrutinizing local governments to eliminate unfair practices in labor contracts.

Before commencing the supervision, the Ministry sent out guidance to the identified establishments to clarify that the use of temporary workers for ongoing duties should generally be avoided. Since 2018, the rental of non-regular workers—including temporary staff—has been strictly restricted to exceptional situations. Local governments will be reviewed for any recurrence of contract extensions, actual working periods, and compliance with labor laws, particularly regarding unpaid wages and dismissal protocols. This regulatory action is part of a broader initiative to ensure better treatment of laborers and discourage unfair practices in employment contracts.

President Yoon Suk-yeol also emphasized the need for public sectors to act as a model employer during a Cabinet meeting, reinforcing the government's commitment to ethical labor practices. He stressed that the government should exemplify exemplary employment standards which should encourage even private sectors to follow suit. This initiative reflects a growing recognition within the South Korean government of the need for regulatory oversight and reform in the labor market, particularly for vulnerable groups like temporary workers, who often are subject to precarious employment conditions.