Presidential Election Without Labor Agenda... Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Pledges to Nominate a Progressive Unified Candidate

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press briefing at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 14th, explaining the KCTU's position and plans for the 20th presidential election. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) clearly stated its intention to field a progressive candidate for the 20th presidential election, criticizing the disappearance of labor issues and calling for a social transformation centered on labor. They demanded the full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees and guaranteed basic rights for all workers, including special employment and platform workers.

On the 19th, according to labor circles, Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, held a press conference at the KCTU office in Jung-gu, Seoul, saying, "After finalizing the primary election method for unifying candidates from five progressive parties within this year, we will present a unified candidate in January," and added, "The two major parties, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party, are entrenched political forces that do not contribute to the lives of the people."

Earlier, the KCTU and five progressive parties?the Justice Party, Progressive Party, Green Party, Labor Party, and Revolutionary Party?announced a 'Joint Presidential Election Declaration' and agreed to unify their presidential candidates. Former KCTU chairman Han Sang-gyun will participate in the primary election. The KCTU has set the slogan for this presidential election as "Replacing the Inequality System, Social Transformation Centered on Labor," arguing that inequalities in areas such as jobs, labor rights, assets, social services, and the climate crisis must be eliminated. In particular, they demanded the guarantee of basic labor rights and the application of the Labor Standards Act for special employment, platform workers, and workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees.

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, held a press briefing at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 14th, explaining the KCTU's position and plans for the 20th presidential election. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman Yang pointed out, "Although citizens' interest in solutions to the inequality and polarization accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the future outlook of our society is increasing, the presidential election is proceeding without labor issues," adding, "Currently, candidates are only focused on personal matters and trivial issues, making it difficult for workers to place their hopes on the 20th presidential election." He continued, "We will hold a mass rally of the people on January 15 next year, gathering the will of workers experiencing inequality and discrimination throughout our society," and stated, "We will strongly enforce workers' demands ahead of the presidential election."

Chairman Yang emphasized, "Through joint projects with progressive parties and joint responses with the progressive people's camp, we must create a major trend of systemic change, restore the vitality of progressive politics, and bring forth an alternative force," adding, "We must make this a new beginning of systemic change."

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