On Labor Day, Democratic and Justice Parties Unite in a Single Voice to "Respect Labor"

Yun Hojung Introduces Himself as a 'Legislative Worker' While Celebrating Labor Day
Lee Dongyoung: "Hope for a Safe Society Where People Don't Die from Work"

Yoon Ho-jung, Co-Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] On Labor Day, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party voiced a united call for a society where labor is respected.

Lee Su-jin, the floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a National Assembly briefing today, "Korea has become an advanced economy by overcoming the ruins of Japanese colonial rule and war through remarkable growth," adding, "However, the workers who have devoted themselves in the process are still crying out for the guarantee of their rights and improvement of their working conditions."

Spokesperson Lee criticized, "3.5 million workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees are still in the blind spots of the Labor Standards Act," and "many workers such as those in special employment and freelancers are excluded from the application of labor laws."

He continued, "We must fundamentally change this labor reality," and stated, "The Democratic Party will work together with workers to surely create a path for a just labor transition."

Yoon Ho-jung, co-chair of the Emergency Response Committee, introduced himself on Facebook as 'Legislative Worker Yoon Ho-jung' and congratulated Labor Day, saying, "I thank the workers who quietly realize the value of labor in their respective positions."

He said, "COVID-19 has become an opportunity to deeply reconsider the meaning of labor that sustains our lives," and "We were reminded once again how precious the labor that replaces the efforts of citizens throughout our society is, including medical workers, platform workers, and special employment workers."

Lee Dong-young, chief spokesperson of the Justice Party, said on the same day, "We send solidarity and congratulations to workers worldwide who fight for a labor-respecting society where basic labor rights are guaranteed and a labor safety society where people do not die while working."

He pointed out, "It has been over 100 years since workers in Chicago, USA, went on strike demanding '8-hour workdays' in 1886, but the reality of our labor is that we still have to fast because of basic labor rights."

He added, "The anti-labor policies such as labor hour flexibilization, differentiated minimum wage application, and weakening of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which the soon-to-be-launched Yoon Seok-yeol administration is promoting, only fuel conflicts," and urged, "Stop regressive labor policies and transition to a labor-respecting and labor-safe society."

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, speaking at the disbandment ceremony of the 20th presidential election campaign headquarters last March.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Assembly member Shim Sang-jung pointed out on Facebook, "In the first quarter of this year, when the Serious Accident Punishment Act came into effect, 157 workers lost their lives," adding, "Although the number of deaths decreased by 9 compared to the same period last year, the number actually increased by 2 in workplaces with 50 or more employees, which are subject to the Serious Accident Punishment Act."

She added, "The most concerning point in the upcoming Yoon Seok-yeol government is precisely 'labor,'" and said, "A country that takes workers' lives lightly is never an advanced country."

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