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<p class="msonormal"><span><font size="2" face="Arial">The Korean Supreme Court will introduce a new mediation system for labor disputes in the court system in September 2005. The mediation system will be implemented on a trial basis in the Seoul Central District Court, and in four other District courts beginning in March 2006. The new Mediation Committee will hear all types of labor disputes, such as the validity of dismissals and leaves, claims for wages or retirement benefits, claims for damages in industrial accidents, and trade unions. The mediators serving on the Mediation Committee will be outside specialists with experience in labor issues. </font></span></p>
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<p class="msonormal"><span><font size="2" face="Arial">The Court would eventually like to automatically refer all labor-related cases to the Mediation Committee. It is hoped that by using mediators to represent each party in the case, confrontational labor disputes could be resolved more quickly and professionally. Labor disputes are on the rise in Korea. The government has begun funding a free legal aid service to assist more than 60,000 workers who are owed overdue wages from their employers.</font></span></p>
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<p class="msonormal"><span><font size="2" face="Arial">The Court announced the creation of a special labor mediation committee system to oversee labor-related civil proceedings in July 2005. Following the initial trial period in the five District courts, it will decide whether or not the mediation system will be expanded to other courts.</font></span></p>
