Overview

• Kim built his career as a locomotive engineer before leading the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions from 2010 to 2012, making him a rare working-class appointee to a top ministerial post.
• He has vowed to advance a Yellow Envelope Law that would expand the legal definition of employers to include parent companies, giving subcontractor unions direct bargaining power.
• Kim also plans to pilot a 4.5-day workweek targeting reduced fatigue, improved safety and fairer labor conditions.
• Labor confederations welcomed his focus on workplace rights, while figures like Rep. Song Eon-seog and commentator Jang Seong-cheol caution that union leaders could sway government policy.
• A National Assembly confirmation hearing remains the final step before he can take office.