Labor Minister Pledges Stronger Support for New Labor Inspectors, Worker Rights

The government is pushing a plan to expand the number of labor inspectors to 8,000 by 2028, and Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said Wednesday he will significantly improve training, personnel systems and working conditions so new inspectors can take pride in their work and focus on their duties.

Kim delivered a special lecture to 210 prospective labor inspectors training at Seoul National University’s Siheung campus. The recruits have been in job training since May 4 and will be assigned to frontline posts after about three months of instruction.

The government is seeking to increase central and local labor inspector staffing to 8,000 from 3,000 by 2028. The newly hired inspectors joined through rolling recruitment for Grade 7 civil service positions as part of the staffing expansion.

“Labor inspectors’ passion and effort, communicating directly with the public at the front lines of workplaces, are the heartbeat of our ministry,” Kim said. He urged them to do their best to protect workers’ basic rights and safeguard workers’ lives and safety through fair and swift enforcement of the law, while respecting the value of people’s labor.

Kim also pledged stronger support to build inspection capabilities. The ministry has overhauled its training program through a task force of veteran inspectors, and is moving ahead with steps including expanding special promotions based on performance and competence rather than seniority, a project to cut unnecessary work, and a broad revamp of its awards system.

After the lecture, Kim held a question-and-answer session with the trainees in a “new hires ask, the minister answers” format. 

Kim is scheduled to hold an additional meeting Thursday with 280 prospective inspectors in the industrial safety field at the Cheonan Jaeneung Education Training Institute.



* This article has been translated by AI.

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