100,000 Agree on the 'Anti-Discrimination Law'... Lee Jun-seok Says "Lack of Social Discussion"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 17th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed a negative view on the legislation of the Anti-Discrimination Act. While agreeing that discussion is necessary, he stated that "I think it is premature at this time."

In an interview with BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' on the same day, Lee said, "I agree in principle that the discrimination issue should be addressed broadly, but there is insufficient social discussion to reach the legislative stage."

When asked if he meant that it is too early to pass the bill now, he replied, "There is not yet sufficient social consensus, and if a significant portion of the people of the Republic of Korea still have concerns about this bill, there is no need to rush."

Lee also stated, "Regarding various forms of discrimination, there is a need for expanded discussion even within the conservative camp," but added, "Within the conservative camp right now, this discourse is mixed, for example, with Christian perspectives."

Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Act, which was pending in the Legislative and Judiciary Committee (Legislation and Judiciary Committee), the relevant standing committee, was automatically referred on the 14th after 100,000 people participated in the National Petition at the National Assembly. This was 21 days after the petition was posted on the 24th of last month.

The bill, originally introduced by Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young in June last year, aims to prohibit all forms of discrimination based on gender, disability, age, language, ethnicity, nationality, appearance, sexual orientation, academic background, health status, and other reasons.

The Anti-Discrimination Act has not passed the National Assembly for 14 years since it was first proposed during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2007. Although legislative attempts continued, they repeatedly failed due to public backlash over the inclusion of items such as 'sexual orientation' in the discrimination prohibition categories. Attention is now focused on whether this referral will accelerate the long-stalled discussion on the Anti-Discrimination Act.