Pres. Park strongly urges labor reform to create jobs

President Park Geun-hye said on Thursday, “The government will strongly push for labor reform as the first task to ensure that the Korean economy takes a new leap forward,” stressing, “Labor reform equals jobs.”

In her statement to the public at the presidential office on the day, Park made the remarks, saying, “Resolving the youth unemployment issue is the foundation that makes our society healthier and the key to addressing a low birthrate.” The statement focused on four major reforms, including labor, public sector, education and financial sector.

The president went on to say, “To complete reform and to achieve economic leap forward, we need concerted efforts not only from the government but also concerted from all economic players,” urging, “If the Korean people unite and extend unwavering support, we will achieve reform that the past administrations have failed to achieve.” She thus stressed that officialdom should take the lead and share pain and hardships. She used ‘the public’ as many as 29 times.

In order to take follow-up measures, the government held a meeting of vice ministers presided over by Government Policy Coordination Minister Choo Kyung-ho at the Prime Minister’s Office. “We will reflect as priority the progress in follow-up measures in the evaluation of government ministries’ activities and performance," the minister said.

The business community also expressed its intent to actively participate in the implementation of the four major reforms. In a commentary, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “It is hoped that all economic players exert concerted efforts and implement the reform of the nation in a speedy way,” while the Federation of Korean Industries said, “We will proactively cooperate to ensure polices will be successfully executed.”

mhpark@donga.com