Lee emphasizes importance of worker acceptance when companies adopt labor market flexibility
Published: 19 Mar. 2026, 15:49
![President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a debate session with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite presidential advisory body, held at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 16. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/19/0073c7f7-ff6a-4549-b26d-7edf067a5ff5.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a debate session with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite presidential advisory body, held at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 16. [YONHAP]
President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that worker acceptance of labor market flexibility should be recognized as an important part of adjusting workplace policies, and objected to the unilateral sacrifices laborers are asked to make when companies change working conditions.
Lee made the remarks during a debate session with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite presidential advisory body, alongside labor groups and government officials.
“We need to create conditions in which workers can accept the kind of employment flexibility that companies seek. It cannot be forced, as that would be unfair,” Lee said during the session at the Blue House.
He emphasized the importance of reinforcing the social safety net to support workers amid a changing job market, calling on companies that benefit from increased labor flexibility to shoulder a greater share of the burden.
“It is not right to proceed in a way that demands unilateral sacrifice from workers. We need to create a rational environment that everyone can accept,” he said. “Building a sufficient social safety net is essential so that workers do not feel insecure.”
Lee said it would be desirable to create a virtuous cycle of job growth by securing labor flexibility while strengthening the social safety net, stressing the importance of dialogue between labor and management to rebuild trust and reach compromises.
![President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a debate session with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite presidential advisory body, held at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 16. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/19/0e0de609-ec3f-41e0-9a94-d983dbaba451.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a debate session with the Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite presidential advisory body, held at the Blue House in central Seoul on March 16. [YONHAP]
“It would be desirable for the labor side to make concessions on labor flexibility while strengthening the social safety net to compensate for it, with the costs borne by companies that benefit from increased labor flexibility,” he said. “Rather than having one side bear unilateral losses, we must find a point of balance through social compromise.”
Lee called on the council to play a greater role in promoting social dialogue to help narrow differences between management seeking to reduce labor costs and workers concerned about job security.
“We need to pour a lot of energy into restoring trust [between labor and management],” Lee said. “The first step should be for them to sit down and have serious conversations.”
Ahead of the session, the council adopted a joint declaration on addressing social polarization and achieving sustainable growth.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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