Statement by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea on the 135th Labor Day
Strengthening Protections in High-Tech Industries and Expanding Regulations on Workplace Harassment
□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho) issues the following statement to mark the 135th anniversary of Labor Day, which originated on 1 May 1890.
□ Labor Day is a significant occasion that reminds us of the value of work and calls on society to ensure that all workers are able to live with dignity. For most people, labor is the foundation of their livelihoods and that of their families; in this sense, labor is life itself.
□ Labor must be respected, and the rights of workers must be fully protected. To achieve this, labor laws—particularly those designed to protect vulnerable workers—must not remain static, but instead evolve in response to economic and social change. Today, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and rapid digital advancement are transforming not only emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy, but also existing industries across the economy.
○ However, the current labor system is failing to keep pace with the speed of these changes, resulting in blind spots in safety management and the emergence of new hazardous conditions that threaten the lives and health of workers.
○ In response, the European Union has enacted the 2023 EU Machinery Regulation to ensure the safety and reliability of machinery placed on the market, and introduced the world’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Act. Likewise, South Korea must proactively identify new harmful factors in emerging industries and adapt to the rapidly changing labor environment.
○ To this end, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea will carry out a fact-finding survey this year to examine harmful and hazardous conditions arising from industrial transformation. Based on the findings, the Commission will pursue institutional reforms aimed at closing safety and health gaps in the workplace and guaranteeing workers' rights.
□ At the same time, despite the vital role labor plays in society, there remain areas where people are not adequately protected under existing labor laws. Workplace harassment is a prominent example.
○ Workplace harassment is a violation of human rights that undermines the dignity of workers by exploiting hierarchical structures in the workplace. Reported cases have risen dramatically—from 2,130 in 2019 to 12,253 in 2024.
○ Nevertheless, individuals such as freelancers, who fall outside the legal definition of “worker” under the Labor Standards Act, are excluded from existing protections against workplace harassment. As a result, many victims are left without recourse, often forced to resign or, in extreme cases, driven to tragedy.
○ It is therefore imperative to explore policy measures that extend protections to all individuals who provide labor, including those currently outside the scope of labor laws, so that every person can work with dignity and security.
□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea will continue to respond actively to changes in the labor environment and will take the lead in protecting vulnerable workers. In doing so, we will strive to advance labor rights in our society and eliminate blind spots in protection.
1 May 2025
Ahn Chang-ho
Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
