Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment Nominee, Opposes Choo Kyung-ho: "Differential Minimum Wage Application Not Allowed Under Current Law"

Choo Kyung-ho "Differential Application of Minimum Wage Has Legal Basis... Discussion Needed"
Lee Jung-sik "Minimum Wage Act Must Be Amended"... Implying De Facto Opposition

Candidate Lee Jeong-sik answering questions
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Baek Seung-ryeol = Candidate Lee Jeong-sik for Minister of Employment and Labor is responding to questions from lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on May 4, 2022. [National Assembly Press Photographers Group]
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[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] Lee Jeongsik, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, stated that the current law must be amended to apply the minimum wage differentially by region. This contradicts the opinion of Choo Kyung-ho, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, who argued that there is legal grounds for applying the minimum wage differentially by industry and region.

At the confirmation hearing held on the 4th by the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee, nominee Lee said, “To apply the minimum wage differentially (by region), the Minimum Wage Act must be amended.” This is interpreted as meaning that differential application of the minimum wage is not possible under the current law.

Jang Cheolmin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the same day, “Economic actors may take nominee Choo’s remarks as a signal,” and added, “The nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor should clearly state his position.”

Nominee Choo has previously argued that it is necessary to apply the minimum wage differently by industry and region. Earlier, at a confirmation hearing held on the 2nd, nominee Choo said, “There is a basis in the current law to apply (the minimum wage differentially),” and added, “It is necessary to properly discuss this based on expert opinions and field acceptability through surveys or research.”

Choo Kyung-ho Responding
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jung-ho = Choo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance nominee, is answering questions from lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the morning of May 2, 2022. 2022.5.2 [Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps]
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However, under the current Minimum Wage Act, differential application of the minimum wage is only possible by industry. Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Minimum Wage Act stipulates that “the minimum wage may be applied differentially according to the type of business.” However, this provision has only been implemented once since the minimum wage system was introduced in 1988. This is why nominee Lee answered to Assemblyman Jang’s question that amending the law is necessary to apply the minimum wage differentially by region.

Nominee Lee also expressed regret regarding Samsung Electronics’ policy to abandon its “no labor union management.” On the same day, Assemblywoman Lee Sujin of the Democratic Party questioned, “You have served as an advisor to Samsung Electronics for 19 months. Do you think Samsung is properly implementing its policy to abandon no labor union management?” To this, nominee Lee replied, “It seems to fall short of public expectations.”

Nominee Lee also expressed the need for a cautious approach regarding the amendment of the Serious Accident Punishment Act. Assemblyman Lim Jongsung of the Democratic Party said, “The next government stated in its national agenda that it will revise laws related to industrial safety and health to reduce uncertainty at the workplace,” and added, “It seems to mean that the Serious Accident Punishment Act will be amended, but since the law is still in its early stages of implementation, amendments should be approached carefully.” Nominee Lee responded, “I share the same view as the assemblyman.”

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