Legislator Im Ija from Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Proposes Bill
Democratic Party Falls Behind in Legislative Ranking... Simultaneous Push with Industrial Safety Act Amendment
Justice Party Pressures for Year-End Passage... '82nd Day' Relay Solo Protest
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party will introduce a bill to prevent serious accidents next week. While the Democratic Party of Korea is simultaneously pushing for amendments to the Serious Accident Punishment Act (Serious Accident Act) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the People Power Party's version of the bill is joining the effort.
Im E-ja, a former member of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the People Power Party's floor spokesperson on the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 27th, "I fully agree with the purpose of the Serious Accident Act. While we should not rely solely on punitive measures, the current penalties are too lenient, which leads to inadequate prevention beforehand," adding, "We will file our own bill by next week at the latest."
Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, has already expressed a positive stance on the Serious Accident Act. Im is known as a leading labor expert within the People Power Party. However, she is considering that the existing Serious Accident Act bill may violate the principle of legality and the principle of proportionality. The bill proposed by the Justice Party centers on imposing a minimum of three years' imprisonment or a fine ranging from 50 million to 1 billion won if an employer violates the duty to prevent hazards and risks resulting in death.
The Democratic Party also had Representative Park Ju-min introduce a Serious Accident Act bill, but it was not adopted as party policy. On the 20th, Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, said, "Considering that the Serious Accident Act is a statutory law requiring procedures such as public hearings under the National Assembly Act, we confirmed that it cannot be passed during this regular session," but added, "However, we will definitely pursue it." When asked if this could be considered de facto party policy, Choi replied, "Our leadership all agrees."
On the 19th, Han Jeong-ae, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, responded to a question about whether the OSHA and Serious Accident Act could proceed simultaneously by saying, "Yes," and explained, "The OSHA is company-centered, while the Serious Accident Act covers facilities with fixed terms, multi-use facilities, and businesses, so the targets differ."
The Justice Party is pressing for the 'passage within the year' of the Serious Accident Act. The Justice Party leadership has launched an all-out campaign including nationwide tours and party speeches. Currently, the Justice Party has been conducting a relay one-person protest in the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall for 82 consecutive days. On the 26th, Kang Eun-mi, the Justice Party floor leader, said, "The Democratic Party is swiftly advancing bills such as the Fair Economy Three Acts, so why can't it adopt the Serious Accident Act as party policy?" She added, "The People Power Party must also decide on it as party policy and actively work to pass it within the regular session."
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