1. Ambassador to Geneva Paik Ji-ah of the Republic of Korea was elected to chair the Government Group of the International Labour Organization (ILO) at the Government Group meeting on May 28 during the 107th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

o Ambassador Paik Ji-ah was the sole candidate for the post of chair of the ILO Government Group for the 2017-2018 term, which had been vacant since Ambassador Paik’s predecessor, former Ambassador Choi Kyong-lim, returned home. Ambassador Paik was elected by consensus.

※ The ILO (founded in 1919) is a tripartite consultative mechanism among representatives of governments, workers and employers. This international organization with 187 member states sets international labor standards and helps countries create quality jobs. 

※ Ambassador Paik Ji-ah will chair the Government Group until the end of the 333rd session of the ILO Governing Body on June 9, 2018.

2. As the ROK is serving as a member of the ILO Governing Body for the 2017-2020 term, Ambassador Paik’s election as chair of the ILO Government Group is expected to help the ROK continue to play leading roles in the area of labor diplomacy.

3.  The ILO Government Group recommends candidates for chairpersons of the ILO Governing Body, and recommends candidates for or appoints members of the Government Group; and mediates among workers, employers and governments within the ILO by coordinating the Government Group’s position.

* unofficial translation