Ministry of Labor | About MOL

2008: In 2008, new government caused a paradigm shift in labor policy. The new paradigm aims to pursue growth and employment simultaneously by supporting economic revival and job creation to make Korea a leading advanced nation. This means pursuing economic growth and job creation at the same time by boosting market economy, developing human resources and achieving active welfare. To this end, the Ministry of Labor set three labor policy goals, that is, cooperative industrial relations, dynamic labor market and customer oriented labor policy, and is making efforts to achieve these goals.
2006: MOL drew up measures to protect non-regular workers such as the Non-Regular Workers' Act with a view to redressing overuse of and discrimination against non-regular workers. Meanwhile, the government enacted the "Act on the Promotion of Social Enterprises" for the purpose of providing jobs for underprivileged people and furnishing sufficient social service. Additionally, in January 2007, MOL unified the industrial trainee system into the EPS, laying the groundwork for an efficient foreign workforce management system and helping SMEs deal with labor shortages effectively.
2006: With a view to providing more jobs and better employment service, MOL actively pursued "advancement measures for employment services" as a national strategic task. On September 11, 2006, the Grand Tripartite Agreement on the legislative bills for industrial relations reform was concluded among tripartite representatives.
2005: MOL set "Creating Jobs" and "Resolving Bipolarization of the Labor Market" as core objectives of labor policies, and continued to build win-win industrial relations based on laws and principles through dialogue and compromise.
2004: With the goal of "Job Creation" and "Advancement of Industrial Relations", MOL selected the seven major tasks by sector and concentrated on them including 40-hour work week, the employment permit system, the Non-Regular Workers' Act, the Act on Establishment, Operation, etc., of Public Officials' Trade Unions, and the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act.
2003: In line with increasing flexicurity of the labor market, MOL focused on enhancing workers' quality of life by means of strengthening social security net, etc. At the same time, a Reform Proposal for the Advancement of Industrial Relations Laws and Systems was drawn up and sent to the Tripartite Commission for discussion.
2000: The Ministry of Labor worked hard to create and spread a new labor-management partnership culture. Also, the Ministry gave shape to unemployment policies and pursued productive welfare measures through job creation.
1999: As a measure to counter massive unemployment due to the economic crisis, employment security centers were opened across the nation.
1998: The first Tripartite Commission was launched to overcome the economic crisis through social dialogue.
1995: The Employment Insurance System was implemented and the employment insurance fund was set up. Both functioned as a cornerstone for resolving massive unemployment during the economic crisis of late 1990s.
1991: Korea became the 152 nd country to join the ILO. The Aged Employment Promotion Act was enacted to address the issue of employment of the aged.
1990: In response to growing interests in the employment of the disabled, the Act on Employment Promotion and Vocational Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons was promulgated. The Korea Labor Education Institute responsible for providing education about industrial relations was founded.
1988: The Equal Employment Act began to be implemented, which marked the start of the government's intervention in ensuring gender equality in the labor sector. The Korea Labor Institute responsible for professional researches on labor issues opened.
1986: The test for certified labor affairs consultants was administered for the first time. The Minimum Wage Act providing for workers' minimum wages was enacted.
1981: Given the rising importance of labor affairs, the Labor Administration was promoted to the Ministry of Labor. The Industrial Safety and Health Act governing industrial safety and health was enacted and announced.

1968: A total of 25 job security centers were set up across the nation to ensure employment security. The National Vocational Training Center was established to promote vocational training.
1966: The first national skills competition was held. Selected through this competition, skilled workers were fielded for the first time in the World Skills Competition in 1967.
1963: According to organizational changes in the government, the Labor Bureau under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs was reorganized and developed into the Labor Administration.

1953: The National Labor Relations Commission was set up to mediate labor disputes and adjudicate individual acts in a fair manner.
1948: With the promulgation of the Constitution and the Government Organization Act, the Labor Bureau was established under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
1945: With the start of the U.S. military government following independence, the Labor Division of the Bureau of Mining and Industry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry began to deal with labor affairs in September 1945. In the following year, the Labor Division was promoted to the Ministry of Labor under the U.S. military government.

Minimum Wage/Hour
4110won	2010
Economically Active Population Rate
59.7 %	Dec 2009
Unemployment Rate (Youth)
3.5(7.6)%	Dec 2009
Employment Rate
57.6%	Dec 2009

History of MOL