Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Tae-yong said today (19th) that "the true intentions were not properly conveyed" regarding the reform of the "maximum 69-hour week" working hour system.

In his remarks to all members of the high-level party political council held this afternoon at the Prime Minister's Residence in Samcheong-dong, Chief Kim said, "The extreme, impossible frame of 69 hours has been put on."

"There was a conflict over this issue last week, and it was a policy to ultimately benefit workers by expanding overtime hours," Kim said.

He promised, "We will listen to various opinions from MZ workers, non-unionized workers, small and medium-sized business workers, etc., and complement them together."

Chief Kim said, "The internal and external conditions are severe enough to be called tectonic changes, and in such a situation, the Party, the government, and the President's Office must communicate closely," adding, "In particular, we will strengthen efforts to filter out expected side effects by consulting with the Party in advance on the policies promoted by various ministries."

Commenting on the outcome of the ROK-Japan summit talks on 16 March, Chief Kim said, "I believe that a victorious solution to the issue of forced labor has emerged and taken the first step in overcoming the past and opening a new era of cooperation."

"In the midst of the escalating North Korean nuclear threat, the US-China hegemony conflict, and the global supply chain crisis causing tectonic shifts in the global economy, is it not an inevitable choice for us to survive," he said, emphasizing that "it is not an option, but a necessity."

He pointed out, "Opposition parties and related civic groups have many objections, but it is not desirable for the future of the country to irresponsibly leave Korea-Japan relations as they were before without an alternative."

Kim added, "As the president is determined for the national interest despite the political burden, we must work together to improve bilateral relations."

Meanwhile, Chief Kim greeted the new leadership of the People's Power and said, "The first thing I want to say is the people's livelihood," adding, "We also agree with the president that the first is the people's livelihood, the second is the people's livelihood, and the third is the people's livelihood."

He said, "Looking at the recent economy, I am worried that the complex crisis that we have been worried about since last year is approaching reality," adding, "We must devote ourselves to the people's livelihood even to minimize the suffering of the common people."

Chief Kim suggested, "Although the conditions are not easy, such as delays in various legislation in the National Assembly, I would like to say that the party government should work together to solve the people's livelihood issue."

(Photo = Yonhap News)