'Labor Day' Name Restored, Reigniting Debate on 'Geunro' vs. 'Nodong' Terms

After 63 years, the name 'Workers' Day' has reverted to 'Labor Day'. This year's change, marking the first legal public holiday under the new name, prompts reflection on the historical significance of labor commemoration days in South Korea.

Labor Day originated from the international labor movement's designation of May 1, 1890, as 'International Workers' Day' (May Day) to commemorate the general strike by U.S. laborers on May 1, 1886, demanding an '8-hour workday'. In Korea, the first commemorative event was held on May 1, 1923, but the date was later changed to March 10, 1958. The name 'Workers' Day' was first used with the enactment of the law in 1963 and was commemorated under this name for the following 31 years.

'Geunro' carries the nuance of providing labor as a passive subject managed by the state or employer, whereas 'Nodong' reflects an active aspect where the worker, not bound by a specific employment type, becomes the subject. For these reasons, arguments have been raised to change 'Geunro' to 'Nodong' to encompass the diverse forms of 'work' today.

This move to change the name accelerated under the Lee Jae-myung administration. From its inception, the government advocated for a 'labor-respecting society' and moved to change 'Workers' Day' to 'Labor Day'. Last year, an amendment to the 'Act on the Designation of Labor Day' passed the National Assembly, changing the name to 'Labor Day', and it has been designated a legal public holiday starting this year. The name change and public holiday designation indicate a shift in labor-related policies from pursuing economic efficiency to protecting labor values. This reflects the aspiration that legislation and policies should be reviewed with a focus on the dignity, rights, and safety of working people.

However, the word 'Geunro' forms the basis of numerous legal systems, including the 'right to work' stipulated in Article 32 of the Constitution and the Labor Standards Act, making a wholesale replacement of the term a difficult task. There are calls for a cautious approach that considers consistency with the legal system and coherence with the Constitution. An official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "Laws containing 'Geunro' are interconnected, making it difficult to change only a part to 'Nodong'. Ultimately, if the entire legal system's terminology is to be changed, consistency with the Constitution must be considered."

Labor Day, now a legal public holiday from this year, is designated as a non-substitutable paid holiday under the 'Act on the Designation of Labor Day'. Those working on Labor Day can receive up to 2.5 times their regular wage, including holiday premium pay and paid holiday compensation. Labor Day is also guaranteed as a paid holiday for workplaces with fewer than five employees, and violations are subject to penalties.