Lee vows support to strengthen workers' basic rights | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday workers' fundamental rights should be guaranteed to help address imbalances between labor and management, vowing support for efforts to strengthen those rights. President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) Lee outlined his administration's labor policy, which focuses on improving working conditions and revising relevant laws, while acknowledging challenges in addressing long-standing structural divides. "Polarization stemming from gaps between large conglomerates, and small and medium-sized enterprises, regular and non-regular workers, prime contractors and subcontractors, as well as gender disparities remains a major challenge," he said. He underscored the importance of dialogue to bridge differences between management, which is seeking greater labor flexibility, and labor groups that strongly oppose layoffs. "Although this is a difficult issue, open and candid dialogue based on mutual respect and trust can help point the way toward a solution," he said. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Lee calls for efforts to create fair biz environment for SMEs (LEAD) Lee puts importance on likelihood of workers' acceptance in adopting labor market flexibility Lee expresses hope new labor law will promote dialogue to resolve labor-management disputes Keywords #Lee #labor rights Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N. Korea's Kim reappointed as president of state affairs prev Lee vows support to strengthen workers' basic rights Next Lee vows support to strengthen workers' basic rights

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By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday workers' fundamental rights should be guaranteed to help address imbalances between labor and management, vowing support for efforts to strengthen those rights.
Lee made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, a major umbrella labor group, as companies push for greater labor flexibility amid intensifying competition despite resistance from workers.
"Workers are essentially in a weaker position. It is important to guarantee their three fundamental labor rights -- the right to organize, collective bargaining and collective action," Lee said, pledging government support to enhance labor rights.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
Lee outlined his administration's labor policy, which focuses on improving working conditions and revising relevant laws, while acknowledging challenges in addressing long-standing structural divides.
"Polarization stemming from gaps between large conglomerates, and small and medium-sized enterprises, regular and non-regular workers, prime contractors and subcontractors, as well as gender disparities remains a major challenge," he said.
He underscored the importance of dialogue to bridge differences between management, which is seeking greater labor flexibility, and labor groups that strongly oppose layoffs.
"Although this is a difficult issue, open and candid dialogue based on mutual respect and trust can help point the way toward a solution," he said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Lee vows support to strengthen workers' basic rights

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- It is important to guarantee their three fundamental labor rights -- the right to organize, collective bargaining and collective action," Lee said, pledging government support to enhance labor rights.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) Lee outlined his administration's labor policy, which focuses on improving working conditions and revising relevant laws, while acknowledging challenges in addressing long-standing structural divides. "Polarization stemming from gaps between large conglomerates, and small and medium-sized enterprises, regular and non-regular workers, prime contractors and subcontractors, as well as gender disparities remains a major challenge," he said.
- He underscored the importance of dialogue to bridge differences between management, which is seeking greater labor flexibility, and labor groups that strongly oppose layoffs. "Although this is a difficult issue, open and candid dialogue based on mutual respect and trust can help point the way toward a solution," he said. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Lee calls for efforts to create fair biz environment for SMEs (LEAD) Lee puts importance on likelihood of workers' acceptance in adopting labor market flexibility Lee expresses hope new labor law will promote dialogue to resolve labor-management disputes Keywords #Lee #labor rights Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.

### Implications
- OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday workers' fundamental rights should be guaranteed to help address imbalances between labor and management, vowing support for efforts to strengthen those rights.
- President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) Lee outlined his administration's labor policy, which focuses on improving working conditions and revising relevant laws, while acknowledging challenges in addressing long-standing structural divides. "Polarization stemming from gaps between large conglomerates, and small and medium-sized enterprises, regular and non-regular workers, prime contractors and subcontractors, as well as gender disparities remains a major challenge," he said.
- He underscored the importance of dialogue to bridge differences between management, which is seeking greater labor flexibility, and labor groups that strongly oppose layoffs. "Although this is a difficult issue, open and candid dialogue based on mutual respect and trust can help point the way toward a solution," he said. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Lee calls for efforts to create fair biz environment for SMEs (LEAD) Lee puts importance on likelihood of workers' acceptance in adopting labor market flexibility Lee expresses hope new labor law will promote dialogue to resolve labor-management disputes Keywords #Lee #labor rights Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.
- Korea 'most hostile' nation (LEAD) Gov't to strictly enforce five-day vehicle rotation system for public sector (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers lee, labor, korea topics. Notable strengths include discussion of lee. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 556.