'120-Hour Workweek, Public Institution Labor Director System' Yoon's Labor Pledge Full Offensive

Sim Sang-jung "Are We Returning to an Era of Exploiting Workers?"
Ahn Cheol-soo "Many Concerns About Blocking Public Institution Reforms"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Ki-min Lee and Jun-yi Park] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, for his remarks and pledges related to labor, including his '120-hour workweek' comment and support for the introduction of labor directors in public institutions.

During the 'Jobs and Growth' debate segment of the joint presidential candidate debate hosted by the three major terrestrial broadcasters on the 3rd, Candidate Sim referred to the controversy over Candidate Yoon’s '120-hour workweek' remark, pointing out, "Candidate Yoon is currently denying all the labor hours and wage labor rights that democracy has achieved in South Korea and worldwide." She added, "The only person who did something like this was former President Chun Doo-hwan," and asked, "Does he want to return to an era of economic exploitation of workers?"

In response, Candidate Yoon said, "There is too much negativity based on inaccurate information." He maintained his previous stance, saying, "In large corporations, even if the 52-hour workweek is divided weekly, there are many personnel who can be exchanged, so it does not matter much, but small companies like startups also need protection."

Candidate Ahn criticized Candidate Yoon’s pledge to introduce labor directors in public institutions. He said, "There are many concerns that public institution reforms will be blocked when they are needed, and moreover, there is a high risk that this could spread to private companies." He added, "In such a case, the most worrisome scenario is that companies could be dominated by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, causing critical damage to the economy."

Candidate Yoon explained, "It was a decision made after deep consideration," adding, "Public institutions belong to the people. However, the labor director system does not mean that the union appoints directors, but that workers recommended by the union do." He further stated, "Whether it extends to the private sector is a separate issue," and said, "People will see how this proceeds and decide whether it moves to private development. If serious problems arise with the amendment of the Commercial Act, it will definitely not be allowed."

Candidate Ahn countered, "That will not happen," and said, "If employees resist measures such as introducing automation equipment or retraining other staff, labor directors could very likely block companies’ efforts to develop and work for the people." He also mentioned, "Na Kyung-won, a former lawmaker from Candidate Yoon’s party (People Power Party), said, 'That is just populism for vested labor unions and does not align with our party’s conservative values.'"

Candidate Yoon responded, "Are there people in our party who say that?" and stated, "In any case, the party has adopted this as its official stance and will proceed accordingly."

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