In a post on his social media, Minister Kim addressed the ongoing debate regarding the distribution of excess profits by large companies, asserting that it misinterprets the government's concerns and the essence of social dialogue.
Earlier, during a meeting with reporters, Kim mentioned the need for social discussions on how to redistribute excess profits from large corporations. He announced plans for an urgent discussion hosted by the ministry next week, aiming to explore a 'Korean-style social solidarity wage' for the redistribution of excess profits.
He added, "The success of Samsung Electronics today is the result of the dedicated efforts of labor and management, combined with support from the state and local communities. If we agree that this redistribution should also occur socially, then the solution must come through social dialogue."
However, some critics argue that this approach represents excessive government intervention. The ruling People Power Party expressed concerns through a statement by Choi Bo-yun, head of the party's central election committee, describing it as a "dangerous state intervention that undermines the foundations of a free market economy." They noted that no other country has a government defining what constitutes 'normal profit' versus 'excess profit' for social distribution.
Minister Kim acknowledged that while the wage agreement between Samsung Electronics and its labor union has been finalized, significant challenges remain for society. He pointed out that in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), various voices have emerged regarding the fairness of performance-based pay distribution, conflicts among labor, management, and shareholders, and risks in the capital market. This indicates a high level of public interest in these issues.
He remarked, "The essence of this is a pressing question about 'how to live well together' in our society. I believe the solution lies in social dialogue, where we listen to diverse voices from the public, empathize with their concerns, and collaboratively seek alternatives and solutions. This is why I proposed the urgent discussion."
Kim stressed that the widening gap among workers cannot be ignored, reflecting the will of the sovereign people. He called for labor, management, and the government to unite in wisdom to create a society where all can grow together through cooperation between primary and subcontractors. "We must listen and engage in dialogue with unwavering passion," he concluded.
He further stated, "There are no companies without workers, and no unions created for companies to fail. Ultimately, we must live together."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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