In Busan, Calls for "Postponement of the Medium-Sized Fishery Act for Under 50 People"... Fishermen Also Join In

April 14 Yeongnam Region Rally Urging Extension of the Act on the Punishment of Serious Crimes
Kim Gi-moon "Please Pass It in This National Assembly"

Small and medium-sized business owners from the Yeongnam region gathered in Busan to raise their voices for the postponement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for workplaces with fewer than 50 employees.

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, is speaking about the Serious Accidents Punishment Act at the New Year's press conference held at the Federation of SMEs in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 22nd of last month. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

According to the Korea Federation of SMEs on the 14th, 53 economic organizations from the Yeongnam area held the "Yeongnam Region Resolution Rally to Urge the Postponement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for Workplaces with Fewer than 50 Employees" at the BEXCO Auditorium in Busan that afternoon.

This resolution rally was voluntarily organized by small and medium-sized business owners in the Yeongnam region. Participants were recruited through local newspaper advertisements. Fourteen organizations from the SME, construction, and fisheries sectors, including the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Specialty Contractors Association, and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, supported the event as sponsoring institutions.

Participants at the rally shouted slogans such as "Postpone the Serious Accidents Punishment Act." Huh Hyun-do, president of the Busan-Ulsan Small and Medium Business Association, said, "The Yeongnam region is facing difficulties under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act not only in manufacturing and construction but also in shipbuilding and fisheries," adding, "We strongly urge the National Assembly to convene an extraordinary session and postpone the application of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees."

Kwon Jae-cheon, CEO of Gimcheon Hoetjip, who has been running a restaurant for three generations for over 80 years at Busan Jagalchi Market, pointed out, "I thought the Serious Accidents Punishment Act only applied to manufacturing or construction industries and naturally did not apply to restaurants. However, accidents can occur due to employee mistakes during cooking, and if all responsibility is placed on the owner and they are detained, how can the business continue?"

Shin Jeong-taek, a veteran entrepreneur from Busan and chairman of Sewoon Steel, expressed concern, saying, "As a first-generation entrepreneur, I have experienced bankruptcies and many hardships, but I built my business with pride in contributing to the nation and local community. If excessive labor regulations continue to treat entrepreneurs like criminals, I worry that second- and third-generation business owners might give up their businesses."

Fishermen also joined the rally to voice their difficulties. Kim Tae-hwan, captain of the 31 Yunoho fishing vessel, emphasized, "Is there any law that punishes the owner or captain with imprisonment for unavoidable fatal accidents such as fishing vessel capsizing? Please revise the law reasonably so that fishermen can effectively prevent serious accidents."

Kim Ki-moon, president of the Korea Federation of SMEs, representing the 14 organizations that sponsored the rally, appealed, "Not only manufacturing and construction but also fisheries and all industries are expressing difficulties and concerns about side effects caused by the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The 21st National Assembly ends in late May, so please ensure the postponement bill is passed within the 21st National Assembly."

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