"Labeled as Corrupt Labor Forces... No Dialogue Without Respect"

Kim Dong-myeong, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, KBS Interview
"Suspension of Dialogue is Yoon Government's Oppression, Result of Accumulated Anti-Labor Policies"

Kim Dong-myeong, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), said regarding the decision to completely withdraw from participation in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), "The bloody incident was a decisive trigger, but it is the result of continuous accumulation of oppression, hatred, and anti-labor policies against labor since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 8th, Chairman Kim said, "Magnifying some issues of workers and completely condemning them as corrupt forces, isn't that all hatred? Mocking them as aristocrats (unions) is all hatred," he said.

Korean Federation of Trade Unions Chairman Kim Dong-myeong is speaking at an emergency central executive committee meeting held on the afternoon of the 7th at the Korean Federation of Trade Unions Jeonnam Gwangyang Regional Branch meeting room in Jung-dong, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He pointed out, "Even if (workers) work exposed to danger at low cost, the approach is from the perspective of efficiency or competitiveness as a means, but there is a lack of sincere concern and care for the lives of workers who actually carry out such difficult work and create the value of this society."

He continued, "The core is respect for workers," adding, "Respect is not oppression of the value created by labor, but sincerely guaranteeing and caring for the lives of workers who create such value."

Regarding the resumption of dialogue, Chairman Kim said, "Various legal and political responsibilities and apologies may be necessary, but I think it would be possible when there is a sincere appearance of respecting labor and recognizing it as a partner."

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