KCTU Affiliates Endorse Social Contract

Five affiliates of the independent Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have reportedly endorsed the Social Contract for Industrial Peace and Job Creation, a bargain backed by management and labor representatives in the eastern region of Seoul, on April 21; The first such move by a KCTU member.

In a brief meeting with reporters ahead of Acting President Goh Kun’s luncheon meeting with social contract representatives, Labor Minister Kim Dae-hwan said, “KCTU members endorsed the social contracts in the eastern region of Seoul, and they have endorsed it in Gwangju.” He added, “This is the first time ever that KCTU’s regional units have endorsed a social contract. I understand their central body has encouraged them to do so. We have nothing to say to them but thanks.”

“We oppose the social contract led by the tripartite commission of the government, labor, and management in which the KCTU does not partake,” Lee Soo-bong, Education and Publicity Director of the KCTU. “Minister Kim’s remarks of the KCTU leadership encouraging members to endorse the contract are downright incorrect.”

As the controversy rippled out, the Ministry said, “Minister Kim did not mention about the central body of the KCTU at all. We understand that he did not mention about Gwangju KCTU members at all.” The pro-job creation social contract was introduced in February by the tripartite commission.

Jong-Hoon Lee Seung-Ryun Kim taylor55@donga.com srkim@donga.com