A 32-year-old office worker, the youngest applicant in four years, is intensifying preparations for the labor attorney exam amid rising AI-driven job threats and an impending labor law overhaul. With collaborations from major unions spanning two years, the Yellow Envelope Law—set to reshape worker dispute resolutions—looms large, potentially amplifying demand for labor consultants exponentially.
The office worker stated, “AI advancements mean departments will shrink, but labor consultant needs will grow even more.” He added, “I’m seizing this opportunity to pivot careers.”
Record Surge in Exam Participants
Labor attorney exam registrations hit an all-time high as the Yellow Envelope Law approaches implementation on March 10. Companies increasingly view labor staffing needs through this lens, prompting more individuals to pursue certifications.
In the latest nationwide exam, direct wage claim labor attorney applicants reached 12,410, a 64% jump from 7,549 in 2020 over five years. Total participants numbered 418, yielding a 3.4% pass rate.
Industry observers note that regular class enrollees rose 37% in the first month alone. Academies deliver content rooted in root-cause analysis for disputes, targeting single-case massive education sessions that dominate the past year. Such programs emphasize re-employment fears, with many applicants already labor consultants seeking advanced credentials. Linked major universities also bolster training efforts.
Among second-round exam participants, 28 were in their 40s, six in their 50s, and even one in their 60s. A labor academy official remarked, “Mid-career professionals from corporate HR teams fully transform into labor consultants, a common trend.” He continued, “While HR roles once offered full-time job security, now labor expertise emerges as the priority.”
Exam Structure and Trends
Labor attorney exams consist of first- and second-round preliminaries covering laws and practicals, plus a third-round comprehensive test. The first two rounds allocate about 40 questions each to general knowledge and averages 60 for averages, with overall pass rates.
The first round uses multiple-choice formats, historically achieving around 50% base pass rates. The second round involves essays, with the lowest five-year pass rates at 7-10%, signaling rising difficulty. In 2024, second-round passers hit a low of 330—the fewest ever—driving more applicants to reattempt via expanded preliminary slots.
Job Seekers Driven by Insecurity
Those skipping corporate education amid merger fears turn to labor certifications for security, executives predict. A 34-year-old avoiding exams stated, “Even for regular company work, AI can’t replace that role.” He viewed it as “a lifeline in the current landscape.”
Especially amid widespread layoffs, mid-sized firms hesitate on hiring. A 35-year-old managing labor at a large company said, “Neither companies nor governments fully grasp this yet—the law’s full impact shocked everyone.”
Currently, major Korean labor consultant associations report hiring across 80 countries through Yellow Envelope Law synergies— a 42.8% rise from last year’s 56. Post-COVID, large firms actively recruit public labor consultants.
However, firms anticipate heightened tensions. A Korea Employers Federation survey on 2026 labor outlook found 72.9% of respondents expecting worse relations than 2025. Primary causes? 83.6% pinpointed Yellow Envelope Law impacts and rising dispute workloads.
