Shim, Targeting Lee and Yoon's Labor Policies in Pohang

Visiting Heavy Industry Cities Following Ulsan
Continuing to Appeal for Support from Workers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, continued her differentiated campaign targeting the candidates of the two major parties. On the 17th, in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, where POSCO is located, she criticized the labor policies of Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party.

At a campaign rally held at Jukdo Market in Pohang that day, Candidate Sim appealed for support, saying, "Please judge the incompetence and arrogance of the Democratic Party government, but do not let reforms regress." She added, "I will open the second act of the miracle of Korea's industrialization over the past 70 years, led by Pohang at the forefront. I will make it a ‘green transition city’ based on a new technology called ‘hydrogen reduction steelmaking,’ which is attracting global attention." She emphasized, "I ask the citizens of Pohang, the city of sweat and the miracle of industrialization, to firmly hold the center of this lost presidential election."

At a rally in Ulsan the previous day, Candidate Sim also criticized Lee as ‘pro-business’ and Yoon as ‘anti-labor,’ urging, "Do not trust the candidates of the two major parties," and appealed, "Make this election not a regression to a labor backward country but an election where labor stands proudly."

Candidate Sim’s visits to Ulsan and Pohang, both heavy industry cities and known as sanctuaries for workers, for two consecutive days are interpreted as efforts to appeal for workers’ support and overcome her low approval ratings.

Following the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) officially declaring support for Candidate Lee on the 8th, regional headquarters have publicly supported both Candidate Lee and Candidate Yoon. Moreover, the Metal Workers’ Union under the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) signed a policy agreement with the Democratic Party on the same day, causing a shift in workers’ votes.

At the POSCO holding company’s Pohang relocation citizens’ countermeasure committee meeting that day, Candidate Sim pointed out, "One candidate frequently visits Gyeongsangbuk-do but does not stop by Pohang, and the other seems to think ‘this is naturally my vote’ and does not come."

Immediately after the citizens’ countermeasure committee meeting, at a meeting with subcontracted and primary contractors’ workers, she emphasized workers’ rights, saying, "Non-regular workers receive only half the wages of regular workers and continue to be left exposed to industrial accidents and risks," and added, "Responsible measures on labor issues such as prevention of serious accidents and in-house subcontracting must be prepared together in the process of green industrial transition."

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