- 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting held in Jeju from May 11 to 13, 2025
- Bilateral talks held with four countries including Japan and Thailand to strengthen international labor cooperation
The Ministry of Employment and Labor (Vice Minister Min-seok Kim, acting Minister) held the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting at the Jeju International Convention Center from May 11 to 13 for a period of three days. This is the first APEC HRD Ministerial Meeting to be convened since the 2014 meeting in Vietnam, resuming after an 11-year hiatus by consensus among member economies. It also marks the first time in 28 years that Korea has hosted the meeting since 1997.
The meeting is attended by senior representatives responsible for employment and labor from all 21 APEC member economies, including Mr. Giorgio Boccardo, Minister of Labor and Social Security of Chile, and Mr. Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources of Malaysia.
Under the theme of “Sustainable Labor Markets and Jobs for the Future,” the member economies are discussing policies and cooperation strategies to ensure that structural changes in labor markets lead not only to the creation of quality jobs but also to narrowing employment gaps. In particular, amid the rising trend of bilateral diplomacy, the meeting serves as a meaningful platform to promote multilateral cooperation diplomacy rooted in solidarity and mutual benefit.
A Joint Ministerial Statement will be adopted at the meeting to outline the collective direction and commitment of member economies. The statement is expected to include the following: ？Establishment of labor markets that respond to changing work environments ？Expansion of employment safety nets for new types of workers ？Advancement of vocational training policies linked to industrial demands such as artificial intelligence(AI) ？Implementation of active labor market policies in response to demographic shifts such as low birth rates and aging populations ？Strengthening regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific through policy exchange.
Notably, topics directly related to the rapid digital transformation represented by AI and demographic changes are expected to be reflected in the agenda of the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in October.
To ensure that the outcomes of this ministerial meeting lead to practical implementation rather than remaining mere declarations, the establishment of a regular “APEC Forum on Sustainable Jobs” is planned. The forum will engage a wide range of stakeholders including governments, academia, and the private sector. It is anticipated that this initiative will not only expand Korea’s “policy diplomacy” but also lay a strong foundation for global employment cooperation.
Vice Minister Min-seok Kim emphasized, “This meeting will serve as an opportunity for Korea to demonstrate leadership on the global stage by sharing our policy capabilities and experiences with APEC member economies,” and added, “I expect the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting to become a platform and hub for cooperation to achieve the common core value of building sustainable labor markets and jobs within the APEC region.”
In conjunction with the ministerial meeting, a variety of other events are also being held to promote and showcase Korea’s employment and labor services integrated with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Delegations from member economies are experiencing firsthand the Korean employment service system through booths set up at the venue, where they can interact with “Mobile Employment 24”—a platform that provides services across the stages of education, employment, job retention, and reemployment. Exhibits also include AI-based interview tools, virtual reality(VR) vocational training simulators, and industrial safety education equipment, offering visitors a comprehensive experience of Korea’s advanced, tech-integrated labor policies.
Private-sector partners such as Samsung Electronics, Kakao, HD Hyundai Marine Solution, and Hotel HDC are also participating to introduce Korea’s hands-on vocational training programs and reemployment support for middle-aged workers, demonstrating public-private cooperation in action.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Vice Minister Yu Jiadong from China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is scheduled to visit the Seoul Employment Welfare+ Center, while a Singaporean director will visit the Ministry of Employment and Labor headquarters. A meeting with a Canadian director is also planned to discuss digital job training and aging workforce policies.
These on-site booth experiences and institutional visits by member economies will serve as a valuable opportunity to disseminate Korea’s outstanding policies and experiences—positioning Korea as a “policy-exporting nation.”
During the meeting period, Vice Minister Min-seok Kim is also slated to hold bilateral meetings with senior representatives from four countries including Japan and Thailand, to discuss key issues and strengthen policy cooperation in the employment and labor sector.