FKTU returns to tripartite commission

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), led by Lee Nam-Soon, decided Tuesday to return to the tripartite commission of labor, management and government about one month after bolting from the commission. The FKTU's return to the consultative body is expected to signal a shift into the institutional dialogue phase, paving the way for the resumption of suspended negotiations on labor issues, including a proposal to shorten the workweek.

At a meeting of industrial sector representatives on Tuesday, the FKTU formally decided to return to the tripartite commission and attend a Wednesday meeting of the special committee on financial sector restructuring and the plenary session on Thursday.

FKTU officials said the federation made the decision in order to discuss the urgent issue of mergers in the financial sector, which has been a key source of tension, and endorse a union-management agreement reached Sunday on the restructuring of the National Railroad Administration. The federation abandoned talks with its dialogue partners on Nov. 11, demanding a halt to unilateral restructuring of the public sector.

Kim Joon-Suk kjs359@donga.com