Kim Jong-cheol "Great Concern Over Government's Abortion Amendment" Lee Nak-yeon "There Is a Spectrum Within the Party"

Kim Jong-cheol, Lee Nak-yeon Prevention "It Is Right Not to Commit Crimes"
Proposal to Promote Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act and Universal Income Insurance

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Jong-cheol, the new leader of the Justice Party, visited Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 13th and requested the ruling party to consider the government's legislative proposal allowing abortion up to 14 weeks in a progressive manner.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the meeting with Lee in the morning, Kim said, "Although abortion is a painful process, I think it is wrong to say that it is illegal and a crime after 14 weeks."

He added, "We are disappointed and deeply concerned about the government's proposal. It allows teenagers to have an abortion with parental consent, but if teenagers hide their pregnancy, they may end up giving birth unintentionally or undergoing illegal and dangerous surgeries. Therefore, I believe it is right not to criminalize this."

He continued, "I understand that Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook is also proposing and considering this issue. I hope the Democratic Party will think about it together."

In response, Lee said, "There is a spectrum of opinions within the party." He explained, "Some lawmakers share the same views as the Justice Party, while others place significant weight on religious perspectives. Discussions are also taking place unofficially within the party."

However, he added, "The issue of the abortion law is subject to the Constitutional Court's judgment, which we must naturally abide by. We will discuss the government's proposal through the relevant standing committees and handle it through legal procedures as it comes."

During the visit, Kim also urged support for the passage of the Justice Party's first bill, the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act, and the promotion of nationwide income insurance that goes beyond universal employment insurance. He said, "We actively welcome the promotion of universal employment insurance, but we hope more financial resources will be allocated to include freelancers and self-employed workers in both universal employment and income insurance."

He added, "If the two major parties cooperate to create a system that covers self-employed workers, freelancers, and platform workers, it would be a great gift to the people."

Regarding the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act, he said, "I understand that lawmakers Woo Won-shik and Park Ju-min are preparing it. The bill should be passed quickly so that families can bring back those who died from industrial accidents. I hope discussions proceed swiftly."

Lee responded to Kim's proposal by saying, "I understand and agree with the sincerity of the proposal." He stated, "I agree with the enactment of the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act. I will encourage the standing committee to discuss it quickly and reach a conclusion." He added, "I will also strive to expand universal employment insurance beyond the existing plan."

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