Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is holding a non-face-to-face policy announcement press conference using video on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Presidential contenders Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Yoon Hee-sook, member of the People Power Party, engaged in a heated debate over 'aristocratic labor unions' on the 18th.
On the morning of the same day, Representative Yoon announced her first presidential pledge on labor reform through her YouTube channel, stating, "Aristocratic labor unions that insist only on chimney-era struggles must die for the youth to live."
First, she argued, "The minimum wage should reflect jobs and economic conditions, not militant unions," adding, "An expert group should propose, and the government approve, an objective formula based on wage increase rates, inflation rates, unemployment rates, bankruptcy rates, and economic growth rates."
Second, she advocated allowing 'replacement labor' to curb prolonged strikes by aristocratic labor unions. Third, she promised to reorganize the 52-hour workweek system into a flexible and individualized form. Fourth, she pledged to reduce the gap between regular and irregular workers and fairly reflect the voices of the MZ generation without vested interests.
In an online press conference held the same afternoon, Governor Lee responded to a question about Representative Yoon's remark, "A candidate preparing for the presidential election said, 'Labor unions must die for the youth to live,'" by stating, "While the phrase 'labor unions must die for the youth to live' may seem partly true, it is actually a very serious and irresponsible provocation."
He emphasized the necessity of labor unions, saying, "Without unions, workers will continue to face hardships. Youth eventually become workers. If workers are organized nationwide, collective bargaining is possible, and they can negotiate with large companies on equal footing to significantly improve working hours and conditions."
He added, "Among unions, there may be some that are excessively selfish or caught up in organizationalism and collective selfishness, which are exceptions that need correction. However, saying that all unions should be abolished is a truly dangerous idea."
Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party who declared her presidential bid, held a meeting with reporters at Kyungpook National University in Daegu on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In response, Representative Yoon directly challenged through her Facebook, "What is dangerous about my proposal to normalize the economy, which is sickened by the misdeeds of aristocratic labor unions, and to create a new framework based on coexistence and cooperation?"
She stated, "My argument is that while firmly protecting the three labor rights, the laws and systems should be changed so that collective bargaining and strikes are conducted responsibly," and sharply criticized, "Claiming that the three labor rights must be guaranteed?are you deliberately imitating someone who is out of touch?"
She raised her voice, saying, "The problem is the tyranny of aristocratic labor unions that have monopolized the three labor rights as their exclusive privilege to maintain vested interests," and "Dismantling their monopolistic status is the way to actually expand the labor rights of all workers."
She urged, "If you intend to praise aristocratic labor unions, clearly state that you support the current desperate strike behaviors and monopolistic, selfish bargaining practices," and "If you want to criticize my pledge, first clarify your stance on 'allowing replacement labor during strikes.'"
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