Korea's Yellow Envelope Law:
It's Everybody's Problem?
South Korea's Yellow Envelope Act took effect last month — and within weeks, nearly 700 union demands had landed on primary contractors' desks. The government issued a 50-page guideline to clarify things. It didn't.
Employers are scrambling to figure out if using a KakaoTalk group chat to communicate with subcontractors makes them a de facto employer. Workers are gaining bargaining rights they're not sure will translate into real gains. And younger Koreans — many of whom are the law's intended beneficiaries — remain the most skeptical.
For this month's Seoul Circuit, Korea Risk Group's Executive Director Jeongmin Kim — who has reported on the law from both the employer and worker perspective — joins us for an open evening of discussion.
No slides. No formal positions.
Just a small group of people with different stakes in the same question, in a room together.
Date:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time:
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Includes:
Gwanghwamun, Seoul
Location:
Pizza, chicken, and salad
An evening built for real conversation
GOOD TO KNOW
- Drinks are not included in the ticket price and are payable to the venue.
- Payment details will be sent via email upon confirming registration.
- In-person spots are limited. Korea Pro members receive RSVP prioritization.
- Photographs will be taken during the event. By registering, you agree to their use for all media purposes.
- No refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of the event or for no-shows.
- If a refund is requested, the amount will be returned excluding applicable transaction fees.
How to register
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Seoul Circuit
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Admission Fee
사업자명: 엔케이컨설팅코리아
사업자등록번호: 459-84-00046 | 대표: OCARROLL CHAD
사업장 주소: 서울특별시 종로구 새문안로 92, 1612호, 1613호
유선번호 : 070-4119-7800
An open discussion on the questions the 50-page government guideline didn't answer.
A series of exclusive, engaging gatherings designed for the Korea Pro community, connecting you with key opinion leaders, journalists, and experts on South Korean affairs.
Seoul Circuit
An open discussion on the questions the 50-page government guideline didn't answer.
A series of exclusive, engaging gatherings designed for the Korea Pro community, connecting you with key opinion leaders, journalists, and experts on South Korean affairs.
Date:
April 28, 2026
Location
Gwanghwamun, Seoul
Time
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
THIS SESSION WILL BE LED BY
Jeongmin Kim
Executive Director, Korea Risk Group
Jeongmin Kim is Executive Director at Korea Risk Group, based in Seoul. She covers inter-Korean relations and North and South Korean foreign and military affairs. Kim has covered the 2022 ROK presidential election on the ground, and prior to joining NK News, she worked for the CSIS Korea Chair in Washington D.C. and Reuters news agency’s Seoul bureau.
If a company controls how you work but doesn't sign your paycheck
— are they your employer?
1
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?
Can a law protect workers if the workers it's meant to protect don't trust it?
2
General Admission
60,000 KRW
Korea Pro Standard
30,000 KRW
Korea Pro Premium
Free Admission
Payment
2
Please complete payment after submitting the registration form to secure your spot.
1
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
2
