Labor Minister Kim Ho-jin has called on private corporations to cooperate in introducing the five-day workweek system by reaching an agreement in the labor-management-government commission.
Kim said the current work hour system should be improved not only to better the quality of labors' life but strengthen international competitiveness so that both laborers and businesses can prosper together.
He made the remarks while meeting the leaders of the nation's five largest economic organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries. Kim asked the business leaders to make efforts to make a compromise in the tripartite commission.
However, the business representatives repeated their earlier stance that the five-day workweek system should be put off until 2003. They insist they need more time to make preparations.