The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) — an umbrella union group — has decided to suspend its participation in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidentially governed entity, in response to the Yoon administration’s crackdown on union executives. The FKTU has traditionally represented labor unions in the ESLC. Its decision to withdraw on June 7 effectively shuts down official communication channels between labor unions and the government.

During a meeting attended by around 50 people, FKTU’s chairman Kim Dong-myung proposed a compromise allowing the FKTU to suspend its involvement in the ESLC, enabling the chairperson to decide