Lee Jae-ung "Priority Should Be Given to Livelihood Bills" Final Public Opinion Battle Over Tada Ban Law

Lee Jae-woong, CEO of Socar, is entering the courtroom to attend the first trial sentencing hearing disputing the illegality of 'Tada' at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Lee Jae-woong, CEO of Socar, made a last-minute appeal on the 6th ahead of the plenary vote on the amendment to the Passenger Transport Service Act, known as the Tada Ban Act, saying, "No matter how much I think about it, now is not the time."

On the morning of the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, "The bill that should be discussed and processed first now is a livelihood bill for people suffering from the COVID-19 economic crisis, not the 'Tada Ban Act' that threatens the livelihoods of 10,000 drivers and the mobility rights of 1.7 million users in the metropolitan area," urging, "The National Assembly should oppose the passage of the Passenger Transport Service Act amendment."

Lee pointed out, "Flight attendants have to take unpaid leave, taxi drivers have to pay their companies to take leave, and substitute drivers have almost lost their income, but the Minister and Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport have been working only for the passage of the Tada Ban Act in the National Assembly," adding, "The National Assembly forcibly passed the bill through the Judiciary Committee, saying it would process the Tada Ban Act today."

He continued, "If the prohibition clause (on Tada) is processed, the company will close its business and investors will bear losses, but the 10,000 Tada drivers will have nowhere to go," lamenting, "Even if they want to return to taxis or become substitute drivers again, it is not possible now."

Lee criticized, "President Moon Jae-in said, 'We will do our best to allow new and innovative businesses like Tada to enter,' but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is leading the effort to ban Tada for the benefit of taxis and taxi-based mobility companies, taking away the jobs of 10,000 drivers. I cannot understand this."

He stated, "If the innovation that other mobility companies talk about can only be possible by banning Tada, then when they innovate, create jobs, and improve public convenience, please ban Tada at that time. I will gladly accept it."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.