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Labor and management representatives are engaged in fierce conflict over the 2026 minimum wage determination, with the Minimum Wage Council set to make its decision on July 10th. While management advocates for a freeze, labor demands substantial increases, creating a tense standoff. Current Minimum Wage Council Deliberations The Minimum Wage Council has conducted three meetings to discuss next year's minimum wage. The current minimum wage stands at 10,030 won per hour, with next year's rate expected to be determined between 10,210 won and 10,440 won. The council consists of 27 members: 9 worker representatives, 9 employer representatives, and 9 public interest representatives. The council comprehensively considers workers' cost of living, wages of similar workers, labor productivity, and income distribution rates when determining the minimum wage. Management Position: Freeze and Differential Application Management strongly advocates for freezing the minimum wage, ci...

A construction worker who fell into a manhole in Incheon has been found dead after a 72-hour rescue operation, highlighting critical safety management failures and the dangerous working conditions faced by subcontracted laborers in South Korea's construction industry. The tragic incident has renewed calls for stricter safety regulations and enhanced oversight of multi-tier subcontracting practices. Incident Details and Rescue Efforts The accident occurred on July 5 at approximately 2 PM when Mr. A, a worker in his 50s, fell into a manhole while conducting sewer line inspection work in Namdong District, Incheon. Despite working alongside a colleague, Mr. A suddenly lost consciousness and fell into the manhole system. Emergency responders launched an extensive 72-hour rescue operation upon receiving the accident report. However, the complex underground structure and presence of toxic gases significantly hampered rescue efforts. Fire department officials deployed specialized ...