Minpyeongryeon "Adopt the Party Resolution on the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Peace and Unification Alliance (Minpyeongryeon), a group within the Democratic Party of Korea associated with the late Kim Geun-tae, emphasized the passage of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) Act, the Fair Economy Three Laws, and the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act on the 18th, urging the party to adopt the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act as the party's official stance. Within the Democratic Party, opinions are divided between amending the existing Industrial Safety and Health Act (San-an Act) and enacting a new law regarding the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. The party leadership has shown a lukewarm attitude toward adopting the party stance, stating that "autonomy of the standing committee must also be guaranteed."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, 42 Democratic Party lawmakers, including Minpyeongryeon representative Woo Won-shik, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "We must show a principled and responsible attitude toward reform legislation tasks promised to the people."

They continued, "If the original PCC Act is impossible, a revised bill should be finalized within this year as an alternative. Voices are being raised as if companies will collapse due to the Fair Economy Three Laws and the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. The principle of reform legislation must not be undermined or regressed due to such fearmongering," they emphasized.

After the press conference, Representative Woo told reporters, "Since this is an issue where there can be differing opinions within the party, I believe that handling it based on principles is what will advance our society. We urged the party and reached a consensus to process it with the opposition party."

He added, "Of course, while processing the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, the San-an Act could also be strengthened. However, because the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act has its own spirit, that must be maintained." When asked by reporters whether he would persuade the leadership, who are opposed to adopting the party stance, he replied, "I will do so. What we are doing now is persuading them."

Representative Woo further stated, "This is an important turning point involving the lives and safety of the people, so it is natural for differing opinions to clash within the party. Through such a process, opinions will naturally converge."

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