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Safer Workplaces, Shorter Hours, Fairer Pay: Inside South Korea’s Ambitious Labor Overhaul

Safer Workplaces, Shorter Hours, Fairer Pay: Inside South Korea’s Ambitious Labor Overhaul

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s Presidential Committee on National Planning unveiled Wednesday a comprehensive set of labor policy initiatives that would extend protections to the country’s smallest workplaces and strengthen rights for all workers. The proposals are part of President Lee Jae Myung’s broader agenda for his term, aimed at modernizing the nation’s [...]

Most Korean Worksites Exceed Extreme Heat Thresholds, Union Survey Finds

Most Korean Worksites Exceed Extreme Heat Thresholds, Union Survey Finds

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — A majority of indoor and outdoor labor sites in South Korea — from logistics centers to waste collection routes — are operating under extreme heat conditions well above the official safety threshold, according to a labor union survey released on Wednesday. The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU) [...]

Government Pushes for Reform to End Illegal Subcontracting, a Key Cause of Construction Accidents

Government Pushes for Reform to End Illegal Subcontracting, a Key Cause of Construction Accidents

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government is focusing on reforming subcontracting practices in the construction industry, identifying illegal subcontracting and reckless sub-subcontracting as major contributors to workplace accidents. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Minister Kim Young-hoon recently announced plans to collaborate with relevant agencies to eliminate these illegal [...]

Job Vacancy Ratio Hits 26-Year Low in South Korea Amid Economic Uncertainty

Job Vacancy Ratio Hits 26-Year Low in South Korea Amid Economic Uncertainty

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s job market has continued to tighten, with the number of job openings per job seeker falling to just 0.4 in July 2025, the lowest level in 26 years. This marks a significant decline, with the number of job openings per seeker reaching its lowest point since July 1999, [...]

South Korea Intensifies Efforts to Protect Foreign Workers’ Rights Amid Growing Violations

South Korea Intensifies Efforts to Protect Foreign Workers’ Rights Amid Growing Violations

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — In response to a series of human rights violations involving foreign workers, South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced intensified labor monitoring and a focused reporting campaign. From August 11 to 29, the ministry will operate a special period for reporting labor rights abuses affecting foreign workers, particularly [...]

Nearly Half of Young Workers Would Change Jobs for Higher Pay, Survey Finds

Nearly Half of Young Workers Would Change Jobs for Higher Pay, Survey Finds

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A growing number of young South Korean professionals say they are willing to change jobs solely for a salary increase, underscoring rising dissatisfaction with pay across age groups. According to a new survey released Thursday by job portal JobKorea, 43.1% of workers in their 20s said they would switch [...]

Parliamentary Committee Passes Controversial Broadcasting, ‘Pro-Labor’ Bills

Parliamentary Committee Passes Controversial Broadcasting, ‘Pro-Labor’ Bills

SEOUL, August 1 (Korea Bizwire) — The parliamentary judiciary committee on Friday approved a set of contentious bills vetoed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, including legislation aimed at reducing the government’s clout over public broadcasters and strengthening labor protections. During the committee’s plenary session, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers also unilaterally passed a [...]

Foreign Firms Warn of Potential Exit as South Korea Pushes Forward with Pro-Union ‘Yellow Envelope’ Bill

Foreign Firms Warn of Potential Exit as South Korea Pushes Forward with Pro-Union ‘Yellow Envelope’ Bill

SEOUL, July 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Foreign companies operating in South Korea are voicing strong opposition to the so-called “Yellow Envelope Law,” warning it could significantly raise legal risks and operational burdens — with some even suggesting they may reconsider their presence in the country if the bill passes. The legislation, led by the ruling [...]

Workers Spend Billions of Hours on Repetitive Tasks, Survey Finds — AI Adoption Gains Favor

Workers Spend Billions of Hours on Repetitive Tasks, Survey Finds — AI Adoption Gains Favor

SEOUL, July 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean employees are spending an estimated 25.1 billion hours annually on repetitive administrative work, including data management and routine reporting, according to a global survey released Monday by Dropbox in partnership with polling firm YouGov. The survey, which included over 10,000 full- and part-time workers across seven countries [...]