The presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul / Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to prioritize reforms in three sectors: labor, education and pensions. This will be his national agenda for next year, as his ratings have risen in recent public opinion polls following his bold reaction to the truckers' strikes.

According to the presidential office, it is considering the possibility of broadcasting Yoon's New Year message live on Jan. 1, in which Yoon will announce his policy direction for the second year of his presidency.

In the message, Yoon is anticipated to stress the necessity for labor, education and pension reforms. During a Dec. 21 town hall meeting, Yoon showed his resolve to push for these priorities, regardless of the public's support. "The three reforms may not be popular but have to be done for the sake of future generations and the future of the country," he said. "2023 should be the first year of pursuing those reforms."

Among the three, labor reform has already been set in motion.

On Dec. 12, the Future Labor Market Research Association, an expert group, which has been exploring the government's labor reform plan, announced its recommendation to the government, highlighted by pushing up the current 52-hour workweek to up to 69 hours per week by allowing users to manage overtime work hours on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis.

Following the recommendation, Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik wrote on Facebook, "We will come up with bills to carry out the recommended wage and workweek programs in the near future."

Adding to the adjustment in the workweek scheme, the government is putting its focus on the financial transparency of unions.