Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, Repeatedly Urges Pardon for Lee Jae-yong

Meeting of the Korea Employers Federation Executive Board After 4 Months
"For the Nation and People, As Soon As Possible"

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) (fourth from the left in the bottom row), is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the KEF Chairman's meeting held on the 14th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), repeatedly urged the pardon of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. He also emphasized the need for supplementary legislation on labor-management issues such as the 52-hour workweek and the amended Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act.

At the KEF chairman meeting held on the morning of the 14th at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chairman Sohn said, "Since last April, I have recommended Lee's pardon to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, the Blue House, and the Prime Minister," adding, "I hope an opportunity for Vice Chairman Lee to serve the country and its people will be created as soon as possible amid intensifying global semiconductor competition." The meeting, held for the first time in about four months due to the spread of COVID-19, was attended by about 20 people including Chairman Sohn, Executive Vice Chairman Lee Dong-geun, Samsung Electronics President Lee In-yong, Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, and Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Yoon Yeo-cheol.

Later, in a meeting with reporters, Chairman Sohn also said, "I believe the government and ruling party are thoroughly reviewing the pardon issue," emphasizing again, "With Taiwan's TSMC and the U.S. Micron stepping up, if investment decisions are delayed, we could quickly fall to second place. This is not just a company issue but a national-level problem."

Chairman Sohn also voiced criticism regarding the upcoming application of the 52-hour workweek to companies with fewer than 50 employees and the amended labor union law following the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

He said, "According to our own survey, 25.7% of companies with fewer than 50 employees are experiencing chronic labor shortages and additional labor cost burdens, making it difficult to reduce working hours," emphasizing, "It is necessary to provide a longer grace period for companies with fewer than 50 employees and to offer policy support that increases flexibility in working hours, such as allowing extended work hours to be used on a monthly or yearly basis as soon as possible."

Regarding the implementation of the amended labor union law, he stated, "Since the union's right to organize has been greatly strengthened, the employer's countermeasures, such as allowing replacement labor during strikes and improving the criminal punishment system for unfair labor practices, which KEF has been advocating, should be supplemented promptly to meet global standards."

There was also a call for the government and ruling party to shift away from a labor-biased stance. A recent example is the Central Labor Relations Commission's decision regarding CJ Logistics, which differed from previous rulings by allowing the principal company to be a party to collective bargaining with subcontractors. Chairman Sohn said, "Public interest commissioners should be neutral, but since people biased toward labor are appointed as public interest commissioners, discussions tend to lean toward labor. This is happening not only in the Central Labor Relations Commission but also in the Economic, Social and Labor Council," adding, "Recently, I requested the new ruling party leader to move away from labor bias, maintain balance, and lead labor reform."

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