[Summary] Yoon Seok-yeol "Manual labor is something Africans do" Criticized within the party as well

"Shocking Perception" Criticized by Ruling and Opposition Presidential Candidates
Yoon Seok-yeol Explains "It Means to Pay More Attention to Advanced Science and Computers"

Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, has been embroiled in controversy over his so-called 'Africa disparagement remarks.' The comments have been criticized not only as a diplomatic faux pas toward African countries but also as potentially insulting to manual labor workers. Other opposition presidential candidates have also criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon.

On the 13th, Yoon held a meeting with university students from Andong University. At the meeting, held under the theme of 'youth employment,' Yoon emphasized the importance of corporate competitiveness centered on advanced technology.

The problematic remarks came during an explanation of the industrial structure. At the time, Yoon stated, "Companies survive on technology that gives national competitiveness. There is nothing that works by people doing manual labor with their hands and feet like this," adding, "Even India doesn't do that (manual labor). It's something Africa does."

He also advocated for the necessity of 'labor flexibility,' saying, "If there is not much difference in wages, does it really matter whether one is a non-regular or regular worker? Especially these days, young people do not intend to work at one company for their entire lives."

Yoon further said, "Engineering and natural sciences are good fields for employment and are very necessary for finding jobs," adding, "In the current world, humanities can be studied alongside other fields. Only a minority need to major in humanities, spending four years in university and four years in graduate school."

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol attending a YouTube live broadcast held at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 12th / Photo by Yonhap News

Political circles have poured criticism on Yoon’s claims. On the 15th, Kwon Ji-woong, spokesperson for Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung’s presidential campaign, a leading candidate from the ruling party, issued a statement saying, "Are delivery workers during the COVID-19 pandemic people doing labor only done in Africa?" and asked, "In which country is labor such as childcare, washing dishes, and carrying heavy loads done?"

Criticism of Yoon’s views on labor also came from within the People Power Party’s presidential candidates.

Lee Hyowon, spokesperson for former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s presidential campaign, also pointed out Yoon’s remarks related to 'humanities' in a statement, calling it "an appalling perception that views universities as job-training academies for companies without any consideration of the university’s role."

Former lawmaker Yoo also wrote on his Facebook, "Candidate Yoon, is this what you want to say to our youth? You seem to not understand the hearts of young people because you have lived your entire life as a prosecutor," adding, "Please do not speak recklessly without knowing reality. Before discussing your qualifications as a presidential candidate, I wonder if you are really someone living in the same era and country."

Amid growing controversy, Yoon met with reporters after visiting the Korean Federation of Trade Unions on the 15th and explained the remarks that caused the controversy.

Yoon said that day, "In the past, we exported simple labor products like wigs, which then moved to China, then India, and now to Africa," adding, "While the government should create stable and quality jobs for university students in the future, for the supply and demand of such jobs to match, I hope they pay more attention to advanced science and computers and develop their capabilities."