![At the 11th full meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission held at the Government Sejong Center on July 2, user representative Ryu Gi-jeong of the Korea Employers Federation and worker representative Ryu Gi-seop of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (right) listen intently to the speakers with serious expressions. [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/07/02/20260702170458341815.jpg)
On July 2, the Minimum Wage Commission convened its 11th full meeting at the Government Sejong Center to discuss the minimum wage level. On this day, labor representatives proposed a revised minimum wage of 11,800 won per hour, while management suggested 10,390 won.
Compared to the second revised proposal presented on June 30, labor reduced its request by 100 won, while management increased its offer by 30 won. Consequently, the gap between the two sides narrowed from 1,540 won to 1,410 won.
Tensions were evident from the start of the meeting. Ryu Gi-seop, Secretary-General of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, stated, "Last year's median income for the basic livelihood security system was 2,392,000 won, and the upper limit of the living expenses for single workers was 2,398,000 won, indicating a minimal gap. Therefore, a bold and proactive increase is necessary to adequately attract vulnerable groups into the labor market."
Lee Mi-sun, Deputy Chairperson of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, also emphasized, "Workers have not received the full benefit of minimum wage increases over the past eight years due to the expansion of the minimum wage calculation range. We need to start with an increase that exceeds the inflation rate of 2.7%. The reality is that we are unable to keep up with rising prices, and the current minimum wage does not reflect actual living costs."
Conversely, management maintained its stance on controlling the minimum wage increase. Ryu Gi-jeong, Executive Vice President of the Korea Employers Federation, argued, "Including the weekly holiday pay in the labor union's proposed hourly wage would effectively exceed 14,000 won. The actual labor cost for hiring one minimum wage worker would increase by about 5 million won annually, which is an unbearable burden for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners already operating at the edge."
Yang Ok-seok, head of the Human Resources Policy Division at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, noted, "Due to a structural environment where retirees find it difficult to secure jobs, many self-employed individuals in Korea are over 60. The various legal responsibilities, allowances, and severance pay burdens associated with the minimum wage prevent hiring, leading to excessive labor. The challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners must also be addressed."
Public interest representatives stressed the need to bridge the gap between the two sides. Sung Jae-min, Deputy Director of the Korea Labor Institute and a public interest committee member, stated, "Given the significant differences in opinions, it is crucial to make genuine efforts to narrow these gaps. We must approach this with social responsibility in mind and strive for a wise and responsible conclusion that brings us closer together."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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