President Lee Jae-myung warned on the 2nd about wage arrears, stating, “If companies that can afford to pay choose to withhold, they should be severely punished.” The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced it would consider measures such as disclosing the list of defaulting companies and not applying non-prosecution for such offenses starting next month.
During a cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Lee received a report from Kim Young-hoon, the Minister of Employment and Labor, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement against wage arrears.
President Lee noted, “According to statistics, 70% of companies that initially fail to pay wages do so again,” sharing his own experience of unpaid wages and insisting, “This is not acceptable. The leniency in penalties is the issue. It should be regarded as a serious crime.”
He also criticized the severe issue of wage arrears among foreign workers, calling it a “national disgrace.” He pointed out that some exploit the system by intentionally withholding wages until foreign workers are forcibly deported, and instructed the Ministry of Justice to consider deferring the departure of foreign workers with unpaid wages to allow them time to recover their owed earnings.
In response, Minister Kim stated, “Just as we value human life, withholding wages is unacceptable,” and reported that starting in October, the names of offending companies will be made public, and measures that exclude non-prosecution for wage arrears will be implemented.