Lee Nak-yeon "Industrial Safety and Health Agency Must Be Established... Loss Compensation System to Be Addressed in February Extraordinary National Assembly"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 25th that he will expedite the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Agency, a follow-up measure to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and that the compensation system for losses of self-employed workers will be processed within the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee said, "In accordance with the legislative intent of the Serious Accidents Act, we intend to strengthen the management and inspection for preventing serious accidents. To that end, it was agreed between the ruling and opposition parties to establish the Occupational Safety and Health Agency."

He added, "As the bipartisan agreement begins, the amendment bill will be prepared by the party and submitted to the National Assembly. The amendment bill by Representative Kim Young-joo has already been submitted to the National Assembly."

He continued, "To establish and operate the Occupational Safety and Health Agency, a preparation period is needed to integrate and coordinate related funds scattered across various ministries. For now, we have reached an agreement with the government to upgrade and expand the Occupational Accident Prevention and Compensation Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Employment and Labor."

He emphasized, "We will strive to make a breakthrough contribution to securing industrial safety. We will definitely create a society where no one dies while working."

Regarding the compensation system for losses of self-employed business owners, Lee said, "Last weekend, I visited Namdaemun Market together with Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups and candidate for Seoul mayor by-election, and Representative Woo Sang-ho. We heard desperate cries that daily sales are less than 50,000 won or that 30% of stores are closed," emphasizing the necessity of introducing a loss compensation system.

He added, "The achievements in COVID-19 quarantine were made through their tears. They suffered losses while cooperating with government policies to protect the lives and safety of the people. Fair regulations must be established to provide appropriate compensation." He also said, "Opposition party lawmakers have also submitted bills related to institutionalizing loss compensation to the National Assembly. I hope it will be discussed in the February extraordinary session."