ABSTRACT
In many countries employers' organizations developed in response to collective threats from labour movements, and the enactment and amendment of pro-labour legislation, as in South Korea. In the era of rapid economic development, industrial relations was characterized by 'exclusive rights of employers in the decision making process', 'secrecy of information on the enterprise operations to employees', and 'employer-led wage determination'. The Korea Metal Industrial Employers Association (KMIEA) was launched in 2005 with 87 members and became the first official industrial employer association specializing in industrial relations. The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) represents employers' interests in industrial relations. The main roles and functions of the KEF include addressing labour-related problems, such as the enactment and amendment of labour relations laws, actions to stabilize labour relations, employment, social welfare, HRM and international cooperation. Although the KEF pursues neo-liberal market principles, the KEF controlled the tempo regarding specific policies as an indication of their position according to the nature of the government.
