Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik emphasized on the 9th, a day before the implementation of the "Yellow Envelope Law," that "it should become a new starting point for labor-management coexistence."
Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong announced through a written briefing that Chief of Staff Kang, while presiding over a meeting with senior secretaries and aides at the Blue House that day, stated: "As this system, which could not be implemented due to two vetoes exercised by the previous government, takes effect, it will be an important turning point that removes the shackles of retaliatory damages threatening workers' right to livelihood and opens doors for substantive dialogue." The Yellow Envelope Law (amended Trade Union Act) is set to take effect on the 10th.
Chief of Staff Kang then urged labor groups to exercise their rights in an orderly manner based on institutionally guaranteed bargaining rights, and called on the business community to recognize unions as partners for sustainable growth and development and engage sincerely in negotiations. He also instructed the Ministry of Labor and related agencies to enhance predictability in the field through consistent principle-based support.
Regarding the recent Middle East situation, he emphasized that "attempts to exploit the crisis as a money-making opportunity must be blocked at the source across financial markets and the real economy, including daily necessities." Chief of Staff Kang instructed related ministries including the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Fair Trade Commission, and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to swiftly inspect and strictly respond to illegal activities such as collusion and hoarding, as well as market-disrupting behaviors including deceptive price increases.
Deputy Spokesperson Ahn conveyed that he also stated, "All ministries must prepare effective emergency supply measures for energy and raw materials, provide sufficient explanation to the public and seek their understanding, and use this crisis as an opportunity to improve our economic fundamentals."
Regarding the BTS concert scheduled for Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st, he emphasized that "thorough safety management is of utmost importance." Chief of Staff Kang said, "This concert, expected to draw up to 260,000 people, will be an opportunity for Korea to establish itself as a venue for global pop culture exchange," while adding, "At an event gathering hundreds of thousands of people, even a single accident could inflict fatal damage to our national prestige, so thorough preparation is necessary."
Deputy Spokesperson Ahn stated that he particularly requested careful inspection of basic amenities including restrooms, trash bins, and drinking water, and asked the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency to prepare thorough safety measures from the event preparation stage with the mindset that "the smallest details prevent the biggest accidents."