"Labor Relations at Underdeveloped Country Level"... Kim Jong-in Proposes Revising Fair Economy 3 Laws and Labor Laws Together (Comprehensive)

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, along with other party leaders, held a plaque unveiling ceremony on the 5th at the new party headquarters located in Namjung Building, Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, raised his voice that along with the ruling party's Fair Economy 3 Acts (Commercial Act, Fair Trade Act, Financial Group Supervision Act), labor-management relations laws and labor laws should also be reformed together. He emphasized that "labor laws have become a sanctuary" and that revisions are necessary in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

On the 5th, at the Emergency Committee meeting in Yeouido National Assembly, Chairman Kim said, "I request that the government and ruling party attempt to revise not only the Fair Economy 3 Acts but also labor-management relations and labor laws together."

He pointed out, "Leaving aside the Fair Economy 3 Acts, changes must be made across all economic sectors after the COVID-19 crisis," adding, "Usually, it is said that we grow best according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) standards, but according to OECD announcements, among 141 countries, South Korea ranks 102nd in employment and dismissal issues, and 130th in labor-management relations."

Chairman Kim said, "Regarding the flexibility of our wages, we rank 84th, showing a very backward pattern," and added, "If we want to fundamentally change our economic system and all structures after the COVID-19 crisis, it will be difficult to achieve without simultaneously reforming labor-management relations laws and labor laws."

After the Emergency Committee meeting, Chairman Kim told reporters, "If labor law issues are not resolved, tremendous friction is inevitable in the process of transitioning to the Fourth Industrial Revolution," and "According to OECD standards, our labor laws, labor-management relations laws, and wage determination processes are at a developing country level."

He said, "If we do not change to fit the new era, our economy itself cannot operate flexibly," and "It would be efficient to revise not only the Fair Economy 3 Acts but also labor relations laws together to change the industrial structure." However, rather than handling the two bills simultaneously, he added, "The Fair Economy 3 Acts should be handled as they are, and labor laws should be revised separately."

Regarding Park Gyeol, the Youth Committee Chair who resigned amid controversy over an introduction text, he said, "People in the Youth Committee are rather less progressive and stuck in old ways of thinking, so I thought that was not very helpful to the party." Park resigned after youth committee members were dismissed due to promotional materials containing inappropriate expressions such as "God's rule."

Chairman Kim also demanded solutions for small business owners struggling after the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, "There is no sign of any measures for small business owners, self-employed people, and workers in those sectors who are currently facing difficulties," and "I ask the government to proactively present in advance what can be done for the survival and livelihood of small business owners and self-employed people who are struggling."

Regarding the government's response of building 'barriers' at the Gwanghwamun rally on National Foundation Day, he said, "I do not understand why the government, fearing the people, mobilized massive police buses to fortify the middle of the city like a fortress," and added, "I think Korean democracy is not developing but rather regressing. I urge a progressive mindset for the development of democracy in our country."

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