Lee Eun-ju: "Not Gunpok but Yunpok... Do Not Recklessly Exercise the Veto"

"Will Face Social Resistance"
"Submitting Union Accounts Means Fighting the Union"
"Reform the President's Attitude Toward Labor First"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Eun-ju, leader of the Justice Party, who pushed for the passage of the 'Yellow Envelope Act' in the standing committee along with the Democratic Party of Korea, warned President Yoon Suk-yeol's indication of a veto, saying, "Do not exercise the veto power recklessly."

On the 22nd, on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Lee said, "If the veto is exercised, it will likely face significant social resistance."

Lee Eun-joo, floor leader of the Justice Party, is speaking at a press conference urging the amendment of the Labor Union Act held on the stairs in front of the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The 'Yellow Envelope Act,' which limits corporate damages compensation for striking workers, has passed the standing committee and is awaiting passage in the plenary session, but the presidential office has hinted at exercising the veto. If this happens, more than 180 votes in favor are required in the National Assembly for reapproval.

Lee said, "Since the 17th National Assembly, there have only been two cases where the president actually exercised the veto power," adding, "The executive branch does not have the authority to recklessly exercise the veto on bills it dislikes." She continued, "There are so few cases, and since the Constitution states that legislative power belongs to the National Assembly, I hope the president does not exercise the veto power recklessly. If the veto is exercised, it will likely face significant social resistance."

Regarding President Yoon's use of the term 'Geonpok' (construction violence) for 'violent acts at construction sites,' she said, "It is an unheard-of, oppressive, and unconstitutional neologism," adding, "What the government should eradicate is not 'Geonpok.' The demand to disclose union accounting books through enforcement ordinances undermines the autonomy of labor unions. This is not 'Geonpok' but 'Yunpok' (Yoon violence)."

She criticized President Yoon for demonizing labor unions. She said, "While unions themselves should not neglect self-purification efforts, the president leading the charge to pressure unions is inappropriate," adding, "demonizing the entire union and, more worryingly, highlighting only some cases to divide the youth is very serious."

Regarding the submission of union accounting data, she said, "They are now talking about union reform, but I want to ask what the purpose of this reform is," adding, "It seems the government wants to fight against labor unions."

She emphasized, "Raising issues about the use of government subsidies is one thing, but the submission of all union accounting books, which are not government subsidies, is unreasonable. Union accounting is already transparently managed according to the Labor Union Act," she stressed.

She added, "Our unions are all multiple unions competing to gain members' choice," adding, "If the accounting is not transparent as the government claims, unions will not gain members' choice. I think the president's mindset toward labor unions and labor needs reform first."

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