Park Yong-man "Punishment Is Not the Only Solution... Heavy Accident Punishment Act Needs Speed Adjustment" Harsh Criticism (Comprehensive)

KCCI Holds Economic Community New Year's Meeting Online
Chairman Park Yongman: "Refrain from Economic Optimism This Year, Look 5-10 Years Ahead"
600 Key Figures from Various Fields Attend via Video Conference
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Political Figures Promise "Definite V-Shaped Economic Recovery"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), on the 7th, criticized the enactment bill of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which passed unanimously at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's bill review subcommittee, saying that punishment alone is not the answer and that speed control is necessary. He also warned against excessive optimism about this year's economy and pointed out the need to look ahead 5 to 10 years and deliberate accordingly.

On the same day at 2 p.m., the KCCI held the '2021 Economic Community New Year's Meeting' via video conference at the Chamber of Commerce building, attended by 600 key figures from politics, government, business, labor, and foreign diplomatic missions in Korea. This was the first video event since the economic community New Year's meeting began in 1962, making it the largest domestic non-face-to-face event. Following COVID-19 prevention guidelines, four people attended on-site: Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, KCCI Chairman Park Yong-man, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo, and Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions Kim Dong-myung.

KCCI Chairman Park Yong-man: "Economic Legislation Should Not Be Entrapped in Politics... Serious Accident Punishment Act Needs Speed Control"

Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering a greeting at the 2021 New Year's Meeting of the Business Community held via video conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 7th.

In his greeting, Chairman Park said, "Last year, uncertainty due to COVID-19 continued throughout the year, and it seems that businesspeople had no peaceful days," adding, "I especially feel sorry for the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners." He urged avoiding excessive optimism about economic recovery in the new year, saying, "I hope we can look 5 to 10 years ahead and think together about what economic choices to make in the new year."

He continued, "Accumulated private debt and asset market imbalances are problems faced not only by us but also by major countries, and appropriate review and corresponding measures will follow," adding, "I hope an 'stable and balanced exit strategy' can be prepared to manage so that business conditions do not deteriorate rapidly during the adjustment process." Chairman Park also expressed concern, saying, "In the rapidly accelerating global industrial changes, I worry that we might fall behind to an unmanageable level," and appealed, "Although there are various circumstances in the National Assembly, I ask for progressive efforts this year to pass bills that can enhance industrial regeneration." He also emphasized the need for companies to change their awareness to solve social issues such as polarization and labor mismatches.

Chairman Park's harsh words came after the New Year's meeting. In a meeting with reporters immediately after the event, he said, "The business environment surrounding companies has become too rapidly strict, and businesspeople are very worried," adding, "This situation applies to both large and small and medium-sized enterprises." He then requested, "The legislature should consider the economy and corporate capabilities and control the speed."

He also questioned, "Can industrial accidents be solved by punishment?" and pointed out, "We all must do our best in prevention." He added, "To prevent, all preparations such as investment in systems and education, facilities, and awareness must be in place," emphasizing, "Such efforts must occur comprehensively and be encouraged to increase. There must be a total effort pouring in know-how, but if only punishment is repeatedly discussed, it will inevitably cause contraction." Furthermore, he said, "Why wouldn't the lives and health of coworkers be important?" and added, "In fact, those of us who work face-to-face are more heartbroken and more worried."

Despite Non-Face-to-Face Event, Over 600 Domestic and Foreign Businesspeople Attend... Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun: "We Must Create a Dynamic Economy"

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo (from the left), Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Chairman Park Yong-man of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman Kim Dong-myeong of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions are greeting virtual participants at the 2021 Economic Community New Year's Meeting held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 7th.

This year's economic community New Year's meeting was held non-face-to-face but attracted participation from businesspeople not only in Korea but also overseas. Along with government officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki, major company representatives such as Lee In-yong, President of Samsung Electronics; Gong Young-woon, President of Hyundai Motor Company; Jang Dong-hyun, President of SK Inc.; Lee Bang-su, President of LG Corp.; Lee Dong-woo, CEO of Lotte Holdings; Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS Mtron; Hyun Jung-eun, Chairwoman of Hyundai Group; and Kim Yoon, Chairman of Samyang Holdings, as well as chairpersons of 41 local chambers of commerce and industry nationwide, and political figures including Lee Hak-young, Chairman of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Venture Businesses Committee, attended online via video connection.

Representatives from various sectors and foreign diplomatic missions in Korea also joined online, including Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea; James Kim, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM); David Pierre Jalicon, Chairman of the Korea-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Yang Hyo-gun, Representative of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Seoul Office. Overseas businesspeople also participated. In Beijing, representatives from major Korean companies operating there such as Samsung China, Beijing Hyundai, LG Chem, Doosan China, CJ China, and officials from the Korean Chamber of Commerce attended online, as did representatives of Korean companies operating locally in Hanoi, Vietnam, including SK, Hanwha Energy, and Hyundai Construction.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said in his greeting, "Thanks to your dedication and hard work, our economy is keeping the flame of hope alive despite the increased uncertainty caused by COVID-19," adding, "It is thanks to you who are constantly seeking growth opportunities even in difficult circumstances."

He continued, "This year, with a clear vision and bold preemptive strategies, we must break the chain of crisis and get on the track of a new leap forward," emphasizing, "We must create a dynamic economy where people's livelihoods come alive in everyday life." Prime Minister Chung also promised ▲ a clear economic rebound felt by the people ▲ fair and transparent market order and bold regulatory reform ▲ a major transition to a leading economy through innovation ▲ a V-shaped rebound in the livelihood economy and establishment of an inclusive economy.

Online New Year's greetings also drew attention at this event. Representing the National Assembly, Lee Hak-young, Chairman of the Industry Committee; representing the government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki and Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun; representing the National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Heo Yong-do, Chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce; and representing the economic community, Lee In-yong, President of Samsung Electronics, delivered New Year's greetings online, conveying new hopes for the Year of the Ox.

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