문재인 대통령, '7월 1일부터 시행되는 노동시간 단축 우리 사회가 충분히 감당할 수 있어'
We start at South Korea's presidential office... and with a change coming for the country's workers.
Starting in July, employees will see their maximum time on the job reduced by 12 hours a week.
Today, in his Cabinet meeting, President Moon explained more about the rationale for the shorter week and how it'll be implemented.
Our Blue House correspondent Hwang Hojun reports. A workweek shortened from the current 68 hours to 52.
That new limit will apply starting July 1st.
And the President believes it will bring about positive changes in workers' daily lives.
"It will serve as an opportunity for our workers, who have put in over 300 hours more than the average worker in other OECD countries, to secure a decent quality of life by letting them enjoy their dinner time and spend more time with their families."
At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday,... President Moon said shorter working hours will be an opportunity for businesses to find creative ways to be more productive,... while also freeing up new jobs.
He insisted that society will be able to handle the change,... including the pay cut that'll come with fewer hours... and the extra burden on management.
That's because the new regulations will be phased-in,... starting with companies with more than 300 employees.
Regarding the recently-approved three-point-six billion-dollar supplementary budget,... drawn up to create more jobs for young people and to boost the economy,... the South Korean President urged the government to make sure that it's implemented without delay.
"It has already been somewhat delayed, so, above all, it will be important that projects funded by the extra budget are carried out with speed so that young people and those in areas facing an employment crisis can actually feel a change."
Meanwhile, according to a Blue House press release, President Moon and his Cabinet approved a bill passed by the legislature to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the political manipulation of online comments -- the scandal named after a power blogger going by the handle "Druking."
He allegedly rigged the Internet comments to sway public opinion, while ruling party officials, including former lawmaker Kim Kyoung-soo , are said to have covertly endorsed his campaign.
Kim has denied the allegations.
And the National Assembly passed the act last week.
For the past few weeks, President Moon, along with the rest of the world, have been on a diplomatic rollercoaster as North Korea and the U.S. go back and forth over their summit plans.
But the President's meeting with his Cabinet shows the administration is determined not to overlook pressing issues at home.
Hwang Hojun, Arirang News.
