- APEC Forum on Sustainable Jobs Established by Korea’s Proposal and Scheduled to be Launched in Seoul 2026
- Bilateral meetings with five APEC economies including Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan Held in Korea
- Delegations from China and Singapore Slated to Visit Korean Employment and Labor Institutions
Head of Korea’s Delegation Min-seok Kim(Vice Minister and Acting Minister of Employment and Labor of the Republic of Korea), announced the successful conclusion of the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM), held in Jeju from Sunday, May 11 to Tuesday, May 13.
It was the first ministerial-level meeting in 11 years, with approximately 200 participants, including high-level representatives from 20 APEC member economies, Giorgio Boccardo, Minister of Labor and Social Security of Chile, and Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources of Malaysia. Furthermore, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Young-hun Oh delivered a welcoming address in person, while Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, offered congratulatory remarks via video message.
Under the theme of building sustainable labor markets and employment for the future, the member economies discussed key labor issues and adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement reaffirming their shared commitment to policy direction and cooperation. The statement includes action plans to build vibrant labor markets in response to structural changes in those markets, with a view to generating quality jobs and narrowing gaps in employment, expand active labor market policies, strengthen employment safety nets, and promote international collaboration among member economies.
In particular, a key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a new “APEC Forum on Sustainable Jobs,” proposed by Korea. The inaugural forum will be held in Seoul in 2026 and is expected to foster continued collaboration in employment and labor affairs while advancing “policy diplomacy.” It is anticipated that this forum will help translate the commitments made at this meeting into concrete cooperative actions between countries.
On the sidelines of the HRDMM, Vice Minister Kim held bilateral meetings with the heads of delegation from Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan.
On Sunday, May 11, Kim met with Thai Minister of Labor Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to discuss workforce development strategies utilizing artificial intelligence(AI) and new technologies. Commemorating the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Korea-Thailand strategic partnership, both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in human resources development policies.
In another meeting, Carmela I. Torres, Undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines, requested Korea’s support for strengthening capacities in occupational safety and health. Discussions also included public employment services leveraging AI and inclusive policies to promote labor market participation of persons with disabilities, laying the groundwork for future policy exchanges.
On Monday, May 12, Kim met with Joan Moh, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, and the two sides agreed to deepen mutual understanding and expand collaboration gradually through continuous policy exchange and information sharing.
In his meeting with Seiji Tanaka, Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, both parties emphasized the need for cooperation to expand labor market participation among the elderly, exchanging views on senior employment policies, such as continued employment systems and the creation of age-friendly jobs. They also explored potential cooperation to promote overseas employment opportunities for the young in both countries.
Following the conclusion of the APEC HRDMM, Vice Minister Yu Jiadong of China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is scheduled to visit the Seoul Employment Welfare+ Center to observe Korea’s employment service policies. Additionally, Guanming Low, Director of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, will visit the Ministry of Employment and Labor headquarters, and a meeting is also planned with Ellen Hols, Director from Canada, to discuss digital vocational training and aging workforce policies.
Vice Minister Kim stated, “Through this APEC Ministerial Meeting and the series of bilateral talks, we were able to expand the foundation for cooperation in employment and labor among Asia-Pacific economies,” adding, “Korea will continue to actively share its policy experiences and, based on mutual solidarity, work together to respond to the changing future of the labor market.”