Kim Tae-nyeon: "Serious Accidents Punishment Act to be Processed Tomorrow... Heard Opinions from All Walks of Life"

Criticism Continues from Justice Party, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions over Serious Accident Punishment Act
People Power Party Calls Chu Mi-ae's Accusation "Irrational and Uncivilized Political Prosecution"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on the 7th that the Serious Accident Punishment Act, currently under discussion in the National Assembly, will be processed in a plenary session on the 8th. Regarding the People Power Party's prosecution report against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, he criticized it as “prosecutorial politics that have abandoned reason and dignity.”

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is deep in thought after finishing his speech at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim, the floor leader, stated at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, “The Serious Accident Punishment Act is scheduled to be processed in tomorrow’s plenary session after going through the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee today.”

He said, “The Democratic Party has approached the handling of the Serious Accident Punishment Act with a heavy sense of responsibility,” adding, “We have repeatedly deliberated to enhance the completeness of the law, centered on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Policy Committee.”

He continued, “We also gathered opinions from lawmakers through two policy caucuses. We listened to the voices of bereaved families of industrial accident victims and heard opinions from various sectors including small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners.”

He emphasized, “It is meaningful that the Serious Accident Punishment Act can be passed through bipartisan agreement,” and added, “It will be a starting point to break away from the accumulated malpractices and customs in industrial sites that have built up during the growth-oriented development era.”

Kim added, “The Democratic Party will not stop at the passage of the law but will continue to devise effective measures to prevent serious accidents.”

However, the Serious Accident Punishment Act currently being discussed in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee continues to face opposition from various sectors. In particular, criticism has continued regarding the exclusion of workplaces with fewer than five employees from the scope of application, which was agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties on the 6th. Kim Jong-chul, leader of the Justice Party, pointed out at the executive committee meeting held that morning, “If my workplace has fewer than five colleagues, is it acceptable to pay just a small fine or the price of a life even if someone dies?” The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) also issued a statement that day, urging the withdrawal of the provision, saying, “Is a death occurring at a workplace with fewer than five employees different from one occurring at a workplace with five or more?”

Meanwhile, regarding the People Power Party’s prosecution report against Minister Choo, Kim criticized, “I express deep regret over the opposition party’s prosecutorial politics that have abandoned reason and dignity.” He said, “The initial response to the group infection at Dongbu Detention Center is something that can be criticized. Minister Choo also deeply felt responsibility and repeatedly apologized,” but added, “However, the prosecution report against Minister Choo is a cruel political struggle intending to involve the prosecution for retaliatory investigation.”

He also pointed out, “The People Power Party is recklessly submitting prosecution reports not only on matters that should be resolved politically in the National Assembly but also on issues related to state administration,” and said, “Passing judgments in political and administrative areas to the prosecution and courts is an act that regresses democracy.”

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