Strong Opposition to the 'Noran Bongtu Law'... "Industrial Balance Will Collapse"

However, No Special Measures Can Be Taken
Construction Union's 'Illegal Strike': "Laws Must Be Respected Everywhere"

Sung Il-jong, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the "Regulatory Reform Meeting for Construction Sites Where Fairness and Common Sense Are Established" held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Bomryeong Geum, Hyunji Kwon] The People Power Party strongly expressed opposition to the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act.' While refraining from commenting on the Cargo Solidarity's general strike scheduled for the 24th, they pointed out the 'serious problem' regarding the Construction Union's 'illegal strike.'

On the 16th, after holding the 'Regulatory Reform Meeting for Construction Sites Where Fairness and Common Sense Are Established' at the National Assembly, Seong Il-jong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, told reporters, "The Yellow Envelope Act is absolutely unacceptable in our party."

Seong further explained about the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' saying, "It is a law that disrupts the industrial balance, and the opposition party is well aware of its side effects. Therefore, continuous efforts are being made and will continue to be made, and national consensus is necessary."

However, due to the relatively fewer seats compared to the opposition party, no special measures have been proposed. Seong said, "There are parts that must not be damaged for the national economy, so we will continue to consult."

Regarding the Cargo Solidarity strike, he said, "There has been no discussion," but clearly stated that illegal strikes are a "problem." When asked by reporters, "Has the industry made any specific requests related to the Construction Union's illegal activities?" Seong replied, "We received such requests today, and about 400 cases have been reported to the task force (TF) for eradicating illegal activities at construction sites, which is a serious problem. The law must be observed at every site and place. If illegal activities or legislative power cause the collapse of balance in many industrial sites, wouldn't that be a problem?"

Kim Jeong-jae, the ruling party's floor leader on the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, attended the meeting and said, "Those who obstruct construction progress through illegal activities must be strictly punished by law enforcement," adding, "We will do our best to ensure fairness and common sense are established at construction sites and a sound environment is created."

The government also pledged to eradicate illegal activities at construction sites. Lee Won-jae, the 1st Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "For the achievement of major specific tasks such as supplying 2.7 million housing units and GTX, it is important that construction sites operate smoothly," and added, "It is necessary to eradicate illegal activities at sites to revitalize the construction industry so that it can fulfill its role."

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended not only by Vice Minister Lee and Kwon Gi-seop, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, but also by industry figures such as representatives from the Korea Construction Association, the Korea Specialty Contractors Association, and construction companies. The construction industry submitted a 'petition urging strict law enforcement against illegal activities by construction unions' to the ruling party and government.

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