The labor authorities are set to establish an independent investigative authority for labor inspectors on October 2. They will reorganize the investigative command structure and review procedures at local offices. This includes the preparation of an investigative manual and separate investigative regulations, as well as plans to establish a specialized training institution for inspectors.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 16 that it will hold regional briefings for 49 local employment and labor offices across the country from September 17 to 21. The briefings will involve department heads and team leaders from the labor standards division at both headquarters and local offices. The sessions aim to share preparations for the changes in the investigative system and gather feedback from the field.
The first briefing will take place on September 17 at 2 p.m. at the HJ Business Center in Gwanghwamun, targeting the Seoul, Central, and Gyeonggi regions. On September 18, a session will be held for the Daegu and Busan regions at the Daegu Regional Employment and Labor Office, and on September 21, the briefing for the Daejeon and Gwangju regions will occur at the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office.
In preparation for the independent investigative authority, the Ministry is establishing a command structure for local offices. This includes the installation of an investigative review committee and the revision of the investigative manual, as well as the drafting of a proposed 'Labor Case Investigation Regulations.' The goal is to ensure fairness and objectivity in handling cases, even with the changes in the investigative system, while allowing local offices to operate smoothly.
The Ministry is also enhancing the expertise of labor inspectors. It plans to expand case-based training that reflects the necessary competencies for each rank and aims to open a specialized training institution for inspectors by next year.
During the briefings, the Ministry will communicate its preparations and confirm any practical issues and areas needing improvement as anticipated by local offices.
Choi Kwan-byeong, head of the Labor Inspection Policy Division, stated, "The independence of investigative authority for special judicial police officers marks a historic turning point that grants greater power and responsibility to labor inspectors. We will work together to create safe workplaces where fundamental rights are upheld, even in the changing investigative environment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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