"'Solo Protester' Ryu Ho-jeong Nods to Moon: 'Do You Remember Worker Kim Yong-gyun?'"

Ryu Ho-jeong Holds Solo Protest Wearing Work Clothes and Helmet
President Moon Nod to Ryu Ho-jeong

President Moon Jae-in arrived at the National Assembly on the morning of the 28th to deliver the 2021 budget proposal speech, where Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, was holding a solo protest urging the enactment of the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, shouted at President Moon Jae-in, "Do you remember the worker Kim Yong-gyun?" urging the enactment of the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act.

On the 28th, Representative Ryu held a one-person protest in front of the main gate of the National Assembly building to demand the enactment of the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act.

On that day, Ryu wore the work clothes and helmet of the late irregular worker Kim Yong-gyun, who died in an industrial accident two years ago at the Taean Thermal Power Plant, and held a placard that read, "President Moon Jae-in, let's meet with irregular workers."

As President Moon entered the National Assembly for the policy speech, Representative Ryu shouted, "Hello, Mr. President. I am Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong," then requested, "Do you remember the worker Kim Yong-gyun? Please do not forget to enact the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act."

In response to Ryu's request, President Moon reportedly greeted with a hand wave and nodded his head.

President Moon Jae-in arrived at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th to deliver the 2021 budget address and applauded Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker, who was holding a solo protest urging the enactment of the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 15th, Representative Ryu questioned Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Korea Power Exchange, and Korea South-East Power at the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee hearing while wearing a helmet and work clothes.

Regarding the reason for wearing such attire, Ryu explained on KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs" on the 28th, "If I just wear the clothes once, I can tell this story a little more, and then it can be adopted as a promotional method as much as possible."

She added, "Irregular workers and others have to display their misery desperately through hunger strikes or high-altitude sit-ins to talk about harsh environments. I wore those clothes with the mindset of representing workers and questioning the bosses, and the workers gladly allowed me and sent me the clothes."

Meanwhile, the Justice Party proposed the Serious Accidents Corporate Punishment Act as the first bill of the 21st National Assembly.