Won Hee-ryong: "Jeon Tae-il's Cry Still Resonates... Large Corporation Unions Must Relinquish Privileges"

by Lim Chunhan

Published 13 Nov.2020 10:28(KST)

"Must Accept Labor Market Flexibility at the Level of Advanced Countries"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 13th, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong commemorated the 50th anniversary of the late labor activist Jeon Tae-il, stating, "It has already been 50 years. However, his cry still resonates deeply," and added, "Jeon Tae-il is an eternal teacher, friend, and also a burden on my heart, having experienced labor movements in Guro and Incheon in the 1980s."

On this day, Governor Won said on Facebook, "The 'bitter' reality that Jeon Tae-il embraced 50 years ago still remains in our society under various names," and explained, "This includes platform workers and irregular workers who are exposed to chronic job insecurity and night labor without even being covered by the Labor Standards Act, young job seekers who cannot even get a chance for employment, and small business owners."

Governor Won pointed out, "Now, labor issues in South Korea should be approached from a pro-labor perspective rather than a pro-union one," and added, "If Jeon Tae-il, who was outraged by the reality of young female workers in Pyeonghwa Market 50 years ago, were present in today's labor field, he would focus more on the difficulties of all 20 million workers rather than the interests of the 2 million union members in large corporations."

Governor Won emphasized, "I actively support improving labor rights to international standards based on ILO criteria. At the same time, I believe that as labor rights increase, workers' responsibilities should also increase," and stated, "If some public and large corporation unions want to inherit Jeon Tae-il's spirit, they must relinquish excessive vested interests. Along with improving labor rights, they must accept a level of labor market flexibility and stability comparable to advanced countries."

Governor Won said, "It is also important to break away from the traditional confrontation between labor and management. Labor and management should create a relationship of coexistence and symbiosis that is equal, cooperative, and in accordance with international standards," and concluded, "Jeon Tae-il's spirit should be remembered and inherited as an issue for the entire Republic of Korea, beyond progressive and conservative camps."