Jin Seung-joon, chairman of the Democratic Party's policy committee, said, ”It's time to open up public debate in the National Assembly on the extension of the statutory retirement age” (Korea)

Jin Sung-Jun, chairman of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, said on the 6th, "It is time to start discussing the issue of extending the statutory retirement age, which has recently been a growing public demand due to the rapid aging of the population and the declining birthrate.
"The expected life expectancy of our people is increasing, we are facing a declining birthrate crisis, and the shortage of productive labor is a social issue," said Chairman Jin at a meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day.
The current legal retirement age of 60 was enacted in 2013.
Chairman Chen said, "If we stick to the current retirement age system, we will have to fill the five-year gap between retirement and the time when we receive our pension.
The age at which people can receive the national pension will be raised in stages from the current 63 to 65 by 2033, so it is necessary to reduce gaps in working income.
"This issue has been discussed at the government's Economic, Social and Labor Committee, but it has been put on hold since the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions withdrew from the committee due to the civil unrest under President Yoon Seok-yeol," he said.
Pointing out the status of the extension discussions, Chairman Chen said, "In principle, it would be good if the Economic, Social and Labor Committee could be reopened and an agreement could be reached there, but if that is difficult to do immediately, we should start a public debate in the National Assembly.
"It is time to do so," he said, raising the hot topic. "The Democratic Party of Korea has already pledged to gradually extend the statutory retirement age in line with the age at which people can receive the national pension. We should start with small and medium-sized enterprises and gradually move forward."
"The idea is to extend the retirement age," he said. Of course, he also touched on the issue. Chairman Chen said, "If we extend the retirement age, we need to resolve how to handle the employment status of the workers who will be subject to the extension.
"Due to the difference in labor costs, companies insist that they have to hire new workers, but the labor community insists on continued employment," he explained.
Chairman Chen said, "We need to have a social discussion on the issue of how to share the burden of labor costs.
"We need to start the discussion and reach a social consensus," he said. In response to a question from a reporter about the direction of the public debate on extending the statutory retirement age, he said, "Income after retirement must be guaranteed, and people who continue to work should be able to live with their loved ones."
The Democratic Party of Korea can sort out its position on the principle that workers should receive compensation for the amount they lost, but if there are major issues between labor and management, a policy debate may be held.
” Chairman Chen replied.