South Korea is set to appoint a train driver as the first blue-collar worker to lead its employment and labour ministry, as critics have expressed concerns about the role being entangled by influence peddling from politicians and labour unions.
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Kim Young-hoon, 57, was in his driver’s seat operating a train between Busan and Gimcheon, southeast of Seoul, when the news broke of President Lee Jae-myung’s cabinet selections on Monday.
With his phone turned off, Kim said he had not learned about the historic nomination until an hour after he completed his shift and stepped off the train, the Korea Herald reported, citing Yonhap News.
Kim has to undergo a confirmation hearing before assuming the role.
Among his responsibilities, Kim is expected to boost the rights of workers by focusing on issues such as industrial accidents, a 4.5-day work week system and legislation that expands the scope of lawful labour disputes, according to Kang Hoon-sik, the chief of staff to the president.
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Born in 1968, the Busan resident is a graduate of Dong-A University who later majored in political policy at the Graduate School of NGO Studies at Sungkonghoe University, according to the Chosun Biz.
