People Power Party Shows Willingness to Partially Accept Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act... Alliance with Justice Party?

Kim Jong-in "Industrial Accident Issues Require Bipartisan Approach, There Are Areas for Consensus"
Joo Ho-young "Industrial Accident Punishments Must Be Strengthened, Supports Introduction of Punitive Damages"

Participants, including Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Kang Eun-mi, Floor Leader of the Justice Party, are posing before the start of the policy meeting on the prevention and avoidance of major disasters held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The leadership of the People Power Party has expressed a willingness to partially accept the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act proposed by the Justice Party. Showing a progressive attitude toward industrial accident issues, which have long been considered the exclusive domain of the democratic camp, attention is focused on whether they will form a policy alliance with the Justice Party.

On the 10th, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, attended the "Policy Meeting for the Prevention and Avoidance of Serious Accidents" hosted by the Yeouido Institute and stated, "If there is a situation where legal approval is necessary to prevent industrial accidents, it must be done in a bipartisan manner." Regarding the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act proposed by the Justice Party, he said, "There is no room for disagreement that industrial accidents must be prevented," and added, "Regardless of each party's position, the National Assembly must fully resolve this issue." He expressed willingness to cooperate on parts where consensus can be formed.

He expressed a positive stance on the introduction of punitive damages. Chairman Kim said, "If a manufacturer produces a faulty product that causes harm to consumers, compensation should naturally be made, but it seems there is no legal provision for this," and added, "Personally, I have no reason to oppose it." Regarding fatal industrial accidents, he also expressed willingness to cooperate, saying, "The relevant company should naturally compensate. This is possible under current laws."

Regarding the punishment of the CEO of the primary contractor, Chairman Kim said, "It is necessary to accurately investigate how the accident factors occurred. There may also be personal negligence," but added, "If safety facilities for preventing industrial accidents are legally mandated and the business owner fails to properly implement them, they must be punished. Business owners must take responsibility for what they are accountable for."

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, also stated that he would "discuss with a progressive stance" regarding the Justice Party's Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. However, he said, "Whether to accept the entire bill proposed by the Justice Party or to partially adjust it is a matter to be discussed in the relevant standing committee," and added, "We will comprehensively review and judge, referring to foreign legislative cases, how much punishing the primary contractor helps prevent accidents and whether it is excessive legislation."

He agreed that punishment for business owners should be strengthened compared to the current level. Floor Leader Joo said, "More in-depth discussions are needed for criminal punishment, but whether civil or criminal, punishment should be much stronger," and added, "Since my time in the Environment and Labor Committee, I have argued that industrial accidents cannot be left as they are and that punishment should be strengthened." He also expressed willingness to accept the punitive damages system, saying, "I have long advocated for its introduction."

Meanwhile, Kang Eun-mi, a Justice Party lawmaker who proposed the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, attracted attention by attending the meeting that day. She urged cooperation, saying, "Despite government efforts, industrial accidents do not decrease because it is difficult to punish management officials with actual authority," and added, "I ask that the discussion does not end with discussion but that the bill be passed so that people can work safely."

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