Kim Jong-in's 'Labor Reform' Faces Labor Opposition: "Easy Dismissal... Will Become Park Geun-hye Party Again"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Labor unions continue to oppose the revision of labor-related laws mentioned by Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, as part of labor reform.

On the 7th, Jung Moon-joo, Head of Policy at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Five years ago, the Saenuri Party under Park Geun-hye's administration pushed through labor market structural reforms," adding, "They wrapped so-called easy dismissals and wage cuts as labor reforms and pushed them through."

He further pointed out, "If the opposition party now tries to push this through like the ruling party did back then, the People Power Party will be criticized again as the 'Park Geun-hye Party.'"

Earlier, Chairman Kim proposed to the government and ruling party on the 5th the revision of labor-related laws to enhance labor and wage flexibility.

At the Emergency Committee meeting held at the new party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the same day, Chairman Kim stated, "I propose not only the Fair Economy Three Laws but also the revision of labor-related laws," adding, "Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many social phenomena have changed, but one untouchable area remains our country's labor-related laws."

He emphasized, "Without resolving this issue, tremendous friction is inevitable during the transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

In response, Head Jung said, "Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), from March onwards, flexible work systems such as telecommuting and staggered working hours, which you mentioned, have been proceeding smoothly on the ground without conflict," adding, "Rather than trying to change everything through legislation in this situation, labor and management are working hard on the ground to overcome COVID-19."

He expressed concern, saying, "Legislating and attempting to provoke social conflicts could instead undermine the energy needed to overcome the national crisis."

Regarding the Fair Economy Three Laws, he said, "In fact, the concentration of large conglomerates in our economy is very high, and there has been unfair inheritance of wealth," adding, "To solve this problem, I believe it is necessary to restrict the vested interests of corporate groups."

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