The Republic of Korea joined ILO December 1991 and became its 152nd state member.

Since then, they have worked together for the good of the Korean people and many other
countries in the world. Korea was deeply honoured when Korea was elected as a member of the
ILO Governing Body just five years after Korea’s entry. Korea’s hard work and dedication for
the labour force is proved by how Korea was reelected as a member of the Governing Body in
June 2017 for the eighth consecutive time. Korea had also served as Chair of the Governing
Body and was also elected to chair the Government Group of the ILO.

As one of the most dedicated members of ILO, Korea has ratified a total of 27 ILO
Conventions such as the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) ; Discrimination
(Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) ; Equal Remuneration Convention,
1951 (No. 100) ; and Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention, 1999 (No. 182) . Not only that,
Korea, through its Ministry of Employment and Labour, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with ILO in October 2003 which launched the ILO/Korea partnership within the
following year, the programme that provides technical assistance to help achieve ILO’s goals in
Asia. Under the guidance of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the programme
works in close collaboration with specialists providing training programmes and institutional
network in the project implementation. Korea has also approved the funding to support ILO
strategies particularly with the Decent Work Country Progammes (DWCP) for improving equity
and rights; promoting decent work, employment opportunities and sustainable enterprises;
strengthening dialogue and labour migration; extending social protection coverage; and
improving labour market governance in countries throughout the region. This includes assisting
Lao PDR in developing its national skills and standards in its ICT sectors, developed
comprehensive plans of MRS for the ASEAN member states, helped introducing the
Employment Injury Insurance in Cambodia, provided Protection Assessment-based National
Dialogue to numerous ASEAN members, and many more.

To that, Korea feels that it deserves to answer the following concerns. Some may have
doubts over the tripartite system succeeding or failing to address the concerns of the ILO but
Korea believes that the government, employer, and worker representatives are the best options to
discuss and address the concerns of ILO. Saying that, Korea knows there are flaws within the
tripartite system that should be discussed and solved. Korea believes that the way to solve this is
to look deeper into the concerns of ILO. ILO itself is an organization that dealt with the labour
force and sometimes the member of the tripartite system can in fact overlook certain problems
and concerns which may lead to bigger problems in the future. Not only that, members of the
ILO should also consider a bigger role for independent entities. These entities such as NGOs
may be a huge help in the drafting of resolutions and supervisory of the system. These entities
will help the tripartite system in minimizing the number of overlooked problems and concerns
within the laboring world. NGOs may also help members to address the changes in the
legitimacy of workers representation. With the informal sector of industries on the rise, members
need not only their government but also the help of third party sectors such as independent
entities to help each member in addressing every single problem that may arise. ILO needs to
have a full measure, a measure that helps all members of the tripartite system and more in order
to fully function in the new modern era of today.

Korean cabinet has passed amendments to labor-related acts for ILO convention ratification on Oct. 1st.
The bill is now being discussed with workers and employers while although differ in views. the
progress is certain. To that, our Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on that the government
has passed the amendments to the Trade Union Act, the Government Employees Union Act, and the
Teachers Union Act. Although many criticized that Korea hasn’t ratified various keys from the ILO
conventions, the progress must be respected and in time it will be run in accordance to the Korean
government and people. For example now, unemployed and laid-off persons can have membership in
industrial unions as one of the concrete proofs of Korea’s dedication for the rights of its people. To that,
the Korean government believes that time and progress is the solution for this problem. The Korean
government simply cannot ratify each and every single ILO conventions at once. Korea knows that
certain powers may seem to be an influent in these decisions, but the Korean government with the help
and the power of its people knows every single step Korea should take for a better future for Korea.
 SOURCES

1. ILO in the Republic of Korea. International Labour Organisation. Retrieved from:

https://www.ilo.org/asia/countries/korea/lang--en/index.htm
2. The Republic of Korea and the ILO sign development cooperation agreement.
International Labour Organisation. Retrieved from
https://www.ilo.org/pardev/events/WCMS_621599/lang--en/index.htm
3. Tripartite constituents International Labour Organisation. Retrieved from
https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/who-we-are/tripartite-constituents/lang--
en/index.htm
4. Ratifications for Korea, Republic of. International Labour Organisation. Retrieved from:
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:11200:0::NO::P11200_COUN
TRY_ID:103123
5. Cabinet OKs gov't motion to seek ratification of key ILO conventions. Yonhap News
Agency. Retrieved from: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190924004400315