1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting of the labor-management cooperation committee at the Foreign Ministry building on July 13.

2. The meeting was attended by Minister Kang Kyung-wha and head of the Foreign Ministry’s workers union Han Sang-goo, who represented the two sides of the committee. Participants from the management side were the Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination, the Director-General for Planning and Management, the Director-General for Human Resources, and the Inspector-General. Participants from the labor side were the principal deputy chief, the secretary-general, the director for organization, and the policy director.

3. In the meeting of the labor-management cooperation committee, held for the first time in accordance with the Foreign Ministry’s collective labor-management agreement signed in December 2016, the two sides engaged in robust discussions on a range of issues, including working conditions, health and safety, welfare benefits, and unity between labor and management. With the new ROK government having been inaugurated, they also presented constructive opinions on ways to improve the Foreign Ministry and its working environment.

o The two sides agreed to frequently communicate with each other through regular and non-regular meetings.

4. In her opening remarks, Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that she deeply deplores the sexual offence case that occurred recently at a diplomatic mission of the ROK overseas, and that the case will be dealt with stringently under the principle of zero tolerance and relevant laws.

5. Minister Kang also stressed that she instructed all diplomatic missions overseas to abide by strict guidelines on work ethics and conduct, and that the Foreign Ministry will review various measures to strengthen work discipline, including increasing the number of inspectors, enhancing professionalism, and providing education to employees.


* unofficial translation