Ruling and Opposition Parties Unite on Labor Day for a "Labor-Respecting Society"

With "No Monopoly on Specific Faction's Interests"
Opposition: "Yoon Must Shift Away from Anti-Labor Policies"

On the 1st, marking the 134th Labor Day, both ruling and opposition parties voiced a united commitment to strive for a world where the value of labor is respected.

On the afternoon of May 1st, Labor Day, citizens visiting the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, are watching the 'Samdo Panggut' performance. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung Hee-yong, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a morning commentary, "The People Power Party will work to create a society where the value of labor is properly respected so that the sweat and efforts of workers are not in vain."

Spokesperson Jung added, "In the rapidly changing international landscape, enhancing the competitiveness of our companies, guaranteeing workers' rights, and creating working conditions where all workers can work safely are challenges that our political circles must collectively consider and resolve. Since the early days of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, 'labor' has been included in the 'three major reforms' as a top national agenda, and we have devoted efforts to respecting the true value of sweat and preparing policies for it."

He continued, "Since the introduction of the 'union accounting disclosure system' last October, we have continuously strived to open a new chapter toward a progressive labor-management relationship, moving away from the previous situation where unreasonable privileges and illegal acts such as militant strikes by large unions, non-disclosure of accounts, employment succession, and exploitation among unions were rampant," adding, "To create a society where the value of sweat is recognized, profits must not be monopolized by specific forces."

He also said, "We will not only protect labor weak groups such as non-unionized and low-wage workers but also devote all efforts to preparing labor policies that the public can tangibly feel," and added, "We will do our best to create a society where the value of labor is truly respected so that the sweat and efforts of workers are not wasted."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's labor policies. Hwang Jeong-ah, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing on the same day, "The sweat and tears of workers were behind South Korea's leap from one of the poorest countries to a global economic powerhouse. We express our respect and gratitude for their hard work and dedication," while criticizing, "However, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is undermining the pride of workers who have led Korea's advancement."

Spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "The Yoon government is turning back the clock on labor with anti-labor policies," and "It has stigmatized unions as a 'cartel,' suppressed them, vetoed the Yellow Envelope Act, and blocked workers' rights."

She continued, "They tried to ruin workers' lives by pushing for a 69-hour workweek and are dismantling systems to protect workers' safety and lives," noting, "Youth employment is decreasing, and workers' livelihoods are only worsening."

She emphasized, "The happy life of workers is the livelihood of the people," and "Only when labor is respected can South Korea develop."

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