Kwon Seong-dong: "Daewoo Shipbuilding Strike Won't Be Resolved Just by Throwing a Tantrum"

Statement at the Party Strategy Meeting on the 19th
"No Extraterritorial Zone Exists in the Republic of Korea"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum, Hyunji Kwon] Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, labeled the strike by the subcontractor labor union at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) as "illegal" and voiced criticism.

On the morning of the 19th, during a floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly, Acting Leader Kwon stated, "There is no legal basis for the primary contractor, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, to intervene in the wage and treatment issues of subcontractors," adding, "This is not something that can be resolved just because the subcontractor union throws a tantrum and insists."

He continued, "The illegal strike by the DSME subcontractor union, which has continued for 48 days, has caused operating losses amounting to 660 billion won. Seven partner companies have already decided to close, and some regular employees have entered a temporary shutdown," emphasizing, "The regional economy is inevitably being hit. 120 people are holding the livelihoods of 100,000 hostage."

He also said, "The majority of the public feels a strong aversion to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' (KCTU) aggressive struggle methods, which do not hesitate to use illegality and violence. There are doubts about whether this is truly a fight for workers or a fight to protect the vested interests of the KCTU," and added, "How desperate must it be for the DSME union to decide on a vote to withdraw from the Metal Workers' Union?"

Acting Leader Kwon called on the government to respond according to law and principles. He stressed, "Illegality must end, and legality must be guaranteed. Illegal acts can no longer be tolerated," and urged, "The government should no longer hesitate and must strictly respond to illegality according to law and principles. There is no extraterritorial zone in the Republic of Korea."

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