Government Officials, Testing Operation of 5 Working Day System Early Next Year

The government will introduce 5 working day system of the government officials from early next year without waiting for the agreement of the Trilateral Committee.

A high official of the government revealed yesterday that ``the government will put the 5 working day system of the government officials in operation even if the Trilateral Committee fails to reach an agreement by deadline, the end of this month, to test the side effects of the new system. The model operation will include all the government officials except for those who work for the civil affairs administrations.``

The government official emphasized that ``the testing operation is necessary not to repeat the mistakes of the clinic-pharmacy separation. The government is considering the overall introduction of the 5 working day system instead of every other 5 working day week or once a month.``

The government has already set for the revision of the related regulations and will decide the final revision at the Cabinet meeting soon.

In relation to this, Yoo Yong-Tae, the Minister of Labor, reported to President that ``[the Ministry] will do its best effort to reach an agreement in the Trilateral Committee. But if the final agreement does not seem to be possible, the Ministry will move forward the legislation, based on the plans by the public members of the committee.``

Hyun Ki-Deuk ratio@donga.com