Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korea assists Cambodia in developing labor policies
Labor officials from Cambodia attend a meeting held at the Ministry of Employment and Labor in Sejong City, June 18. Courtesy of Korea Labor and Employment Service
By Jung Min-ho
As the Cambodian government moves to align its labor policies with international standards, it has turned to Korea for expertise and collaboration.
According to officials at the state-run Korea Labor and Employment Service (KLES) on Friday, nine high-ranking labor officials from Cambodia ― including Lim Suyhong, undersecretary of state at the country’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training ― arrived in Korea last week to participate in a specialized training program running from June 14 to 24.
This initiative is part of the organization’s project, launched in 2023, to support Cambodia in modernizing its labor governance.
“Cambodia wants to update and revise its labor regulations and procedures to handle issues that have been emerging with its economic growth in recent years,” a KLES director told The Korea Times. “Korea is one of the partner countries they wish to learn from.”
At the request of the Cambodian government, the training focuses on three areas: Korea’s minimum wage system, dispute resolution mechanisms and labor supervision system. These topics have gained urgency in Cambodia in recent years as its economy expands, driven by manufacturing and tourism.
“With more foreign companies establishing manufacturing plants and hiring local workers in Cambodia, the government recognizes the need for stronger worker protections and a more reliable system for investors and employers,” the official said.
Cambodia sees Korea as a particularly valuable partner, given Korea’s own transformation from a war-torn, developing country into the world’s 13th largest economy in just about 70 years, according KLES officials.
“During its economic rise, Korea developed significant expertise in adapting administrative systems to evolving needs over time,” the KLES official noted. “Not many countries have such an experience and expertise.”
The Cambodian delegates said they were impressed by Korea’s labor system and expressed hope for more collaboration in the future.
“The Cambodian delegation was impressed by Korea’s structured and inclusive labor system, particularly the efficient dispute resolution mechanism through the Labor Relations Commission, the well-organized labor inspection system supported by technology and the tripartite approach to minimum wage determination,” Lim said.
“Through the Korea Labor and Employment Service’s invitation program, the delegation gained practical experience, engaged in meaningful knowledge exchange and identified valuable comparisons. This collaboration not only strengthened mutual understanding but also provided clear ideas to support future improvements in Cambodia’s labor governance,” he added.