Labor Minister Lee Ki - kwon said Monday representatives of unions , management and the government have achieved more than 70 percent of the target before they reach negotiations and the talks will be completed by this week . The minister told reporters at the Sejong Government Complex that it is not right to keep the public waiting further and I will be fully engaged in the negotiation with a goal to end it within this week . His remark suggests the tripartite committee continues talks under the table and there is a progress . “ In April , the tripartite committee will have to reflect retirement related issues into wage negotiations but we have not much time . We continued communication efforts even last weekend . Everybody agrees that we can ’ t no longer drag on , ” he emphasized . Regarding general layoff requirements and the revision of employment rules , over which the government is in conflict with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions , Lee said the labor community is over worried . “ The labor community sees that making layoffs easier and lowering working conditions are possible but the government and the industry think the issues will be up to the current laws and precedents instead of making new laws , ” Lee said . “ The center line is already drawn . It is impossible to ease layoff requirements or lower working conditions one - sidedly , ” he added . Lee also said the tripartite committee agreed to encourage current workers to give up a portion of jobs to make room for the young generation . [ ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk . co . kr , All rights reserved ]