President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday emphasized workplace safety, basic labor rights, and labor-management coexistence, pledging, "As a president of the Republic of Korea who came from being a boy laborer, I will answer workers' voices with a weighty sense of mission."
President Lee made the remarks at a Labor Day commemoration ceremony held at the Blue House, to which he invited labor and management figures including Kim Dong-myung, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU); Yang Kyeung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU); and Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF). It marked the first time the Blue House had hosted a Labor Day ceremony, and the first time both the FKTU and the KCTU had jointly attended a Labor Day event.
Noting that Labor Day has been designated as a legal public holiday for the first time, President Lee encouraged workers, saying, "We have come together on this Labor Day, which has reclaimed its name for the first time in 63 years, to honor workers' sweat, dedication and the value of labor." He added, "I was a boy 'laborer,' and I am still proud of that name as a worker. That is why today feels especially meaningful, as we have reclaimed the name 'Labor Day' instead of 'Workers' Day.'"
Citing how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and how the climate crisis is reordering the standards of national competitiveness, President Lee emphasized, "Even if it is an unavoidable wave of change, finding a path of coexistence where we live together is the way to a sustainable tomorrow for all of us." He added, "When it comes to workplace safety, I will never yield or compromise." He raised his voice, stating, "There can never be a case where profit and performance are placed before life and safety. I will make it clear that protecting safety is not a cost or a choice, but a basic, minimum fundamental duty that the state and companies must uphold."
President Lee also said, "I will ensure that all workers can enjoy basic labor rights," and "I will open a path of coexistence where labor and business move together." He added, "There are no workers without companies, and no companies without workers. Let us break this outdated dichotomy of 'pro-labor is anti-business' and 'pro-business is anti-labor.'"
"There are no workers without companies, and no companies without workers. Only when we break this outdated dichotomy of 'pro-labor is anti-business' and 'pro-business is anti-labor' can we finally move toward a better future." — President Lee Jae-myung, 2026 Labor Day Address
Full Text of President Lee Jae-myung's Labor Day Address
Respected fellow citizens, and workers — the proud name that moves the world — today we have gathered here on this Labor Day, which has reclaimed its name for the first time in 63 years, to honor workers' sweat, dedication and the value of labor.
With us here today are elders of the labor community and representatives of economic organizations.
Workers from diverse occupations including public servants and teachers, as well as those engaged in new forms of labor, have joined us. Today's Republic of Korea was built thanks to you, the workers, who quietly fulfill your responsibilities and hold your ground in your workplaces.
On this occasion, I extend my respect and gratitude to all the workers of this land — the agents of production, the core driving force of economic growth, and the leading figures in the development of our Republic of Korea. The majority of Korean citizens are engaged in labor. The forms vary, but they provide their labor and sustain their livelihoods in return.
But labor is not merely a means of livelihood. We achieve self-realization through labor, we change our lives through labor, and we create change in the world through labor. Labor is the source of strength that sustains a person's daily life, protects a family's present, and propels our community toward tomorrow.
I, too, worked as a boy laborer in a factory in my childhood. I would rise early in the morning to head to work, and late at night — sometimes not until dawn broke — I would end my day with hands stained with grease.
It would be a lie to say it was not exhausting. But being able to protect my family with the sweat I shed through labor was a great comfort to me, and the strength that made me who I am today.
I was a boy "laborer," and I am still proud of that name as a worker. That is why today feels especially meaningful, as we have reclaimed the name "Labor Day" instead of "Workers' Day."
A moment ago, we heard the voices of various workers. Though their occupations, generations and genders differ, the same dream was contained in each of their voices. That dream was no different from what Lee Jae-myung the boy laborer felt.
The wish that everyone can work safely and that one's labor be respected will never change, no matter how times or circumstances may change.
As a president of the Republic of Korea who came from being a boy laborer, I will answer workers' voices with a weighty sense of mission.
Beloved workers, we now stand in the middle of enormous change. Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking up industries and changing the way we work. The climate crisis is also reordering the standards of national competitiveness.
Rapid change may be an opportunity for some, but for others it is a huge crisis that threatens their survival. The prevailing outlook is that as technology advances, machines and artificial intelligence will replace most of human labor.
But workers must not be forced to make unilateral sacrifices solely for the sake of productivity gains. Growth without a future for workers, who make up the majority of citizens, cannot be called true growth.
Workers are the most important agents of the economy, sustaining our economy through production in the workplace and leading economic development as consumers outside the workplace.
Even if it is an unavoidable wave of change, finding a path of coexistence where we live together is the way to a sustainable tomorrow for all of us.
Our government will take special care so that in the process of this great transition, each and every working citizen can lead their lives more safely, more fairly and more confidently.
On this Labor Day, I would like to make several promises to the people and to workers.
First, when it comes to workplace safety, I will never yield or compromise. I will absolutely build a normal country where workers do not have to risk their lives. At no workplace in the Republic of Korea can profit and performance ever be placed before life and safety. I will make it clear that protecting safety is not a cost or a choice, but a basic, minimum fundamental duty that the state and companies must uphold.
Second, I will ensure that all workers can enjoy basic labor rights. The size of one's rights must not differ just because of differences in employment type or way of working. From regular to non-regular workers, from primary contractors to subcontractors, from platform workers to freelancers — I will take special care so that anyone who works receives fair treatment and so that no blind spots in protection arise.
Third, I will open a path of coexistence where labor and business move together. A society that respects labor and a nation that is good for doing business are not incompatible. There are no workers without companies, and no companies without workers. Only when we break this outdated dichotomy of "pro-labor is anti-business" and "pro-business is anti-labor" can we finally move toward a better future.
Respecting labor is not merely a matter of consideration or charity. Growth without labor is only half growth, and can never be sustainable. That is why growth with labor is growth with a future. I will create an ecosystem of coexistence where labor and management can respect and dialogue with each other. I will absolutely realize "true growth" in which labor and business, fairness and innovation, growth and distribution virtuously cycle.
Respected fellow citizens of Korea, today, along with the Labor Day commemoration ceremony, various events including the Cheonggye Plaza street festival are being held in various parts of the country. These are events that labor, management, government and civil society have prepared together with their combined strength over a long period.
I believe the very fact that the labor community and the business community are here together, not only at this event, shows the efforts made thus far for respect and coexistence.
People with different positions cannot always have the same thoughts at all times. But we must not turn our backs on each other or become hostile because of differences.
The first step of dialogue has already begun in the preparation process. Mo
