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Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon holds an informal press chat at the Government Complex Sejong on July 22 / Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon announced that the government will arrange briefing sessions for both labor and management to explain the purpose and scope of the "Yellow Envelope Law" to minimize confusion and misunderstandings during its initial implementation.

Meeting with reporters at the Government Complex Sejong on July 22, Kim said, "Given cases like the demands raised by Samsung Electronics' Super Union, we will create opportunities to better explain the intent of the law and system to labor and management on the ground," adding, "We will proceed quickly so there is no confusion or misunderstanding in the early stages of implementation."

Recently, as Samsung Electronics' Super Union argued that semiconductor investments and performance bonuses should be included as agenda items for collective bargaining, controversy flared up over the scope of labor disputes under the revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act. In response, President Lee Jae-myung instructed during a cabinet meeting the previous day that the government must provide clear guidelines to prevent field confusion over whether corporate investment decisions or demands for profit distribution qualify as subjects of labor disputes.

Minister Kim stated, "Since the president gave instructions, we must naturally carry them out," adding, "We are closely monitoring how the Yellow Envelope Law is taking root on the ground."

Kim also presented a vision for a new labor system tailored to the AI era—tentatively named the "K-Labor Chamber"—which connects non-standard workers such as platform workers and freelancers who find it difficult to join labor unions, while offering them welfare services.

He explained, "It will serve as a self-help group for non-standard workers and a welfare delivery system for workers who are hard to encompass within existing labor unions," adding, "We are envisioning roles including welfare cards, career recognition, vacation support, microloans, and even severance pay applications."

He continued, "The core is to create a space where workers can communicate with one another and connect with the state, rather than living in a country where everyone is left to fend for themselves," noting that "while the name and specific methods may change, this spirit must be preserved."

                                                                                                          Kim Nam-hyung