[2022 National Audit] "Kim Moon-soo, Apologize"... Ruling Party Lawmaker Also Expresses Concern Over Kim Moon-soo's 'Offensive Remarks'

Democratic Party and Justice Party Lawmakers Under Fire
Justice Party Lawmaker Lee Eun-ju: "Must Apologize to Minnochoong"
Ruling Party Lawmaker Ji Seong-ho Also Voices Negative Opinions on Union Activities

Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, appeared at the National Assembly on the 12th for the National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Council and took the witness oath. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Moon-soo, the newly appointed chairman of the Economic and Social Labor Council, faced intense criticism over his past anti-labor remarks during the Environment and Labor Committee's national audit on the 12th.

Lee Eun-joo, a Justice Party lawmaker, mentioned Kim's past offensive remarks such as "Labor unions need to wash their heads first," "The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is Kim Jong-un's pleasure squad," and "The Cargo Solidarity itself is exactly the same as what is happening in North Korea," demanding, "For the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's first social dialogue to get off the ground, an apology to the KCTU must come first."

In response, Chairman Kim said, "If there were excessive parts, I apologize," but added, "There are parts I cannot apologize for, so I find it difficult to agree with unconditional apologies." In response, Representative Lee took out a 'red card' and demanded his exit.

Jeon Yong-gi, a Democratic Party lawmaker, raised issues with Kim's past offensive remarks toward Democratic Party figures. Jeon pointed out that Kim referred to Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young as 'a pro-North Korean' and called the Democratic Party 'Together with the South Labor Party' in the past. Kim responded, "There were excessive expressions. If I used some over-the-top expressions about Representative Yoon, please understand," he said.

Distorted views on workers' strikes were also criticized. Representative Jeon pointed out Kim's past YouTube broadcast where he said, "Compensation for damages is a special remedy for illegal strikes," to which Kim replied, "If you listen to the full content, that's not the case," adding, "(The) property rights and labor rights must be balanced."

Ruling party lawmakers also expressed concerns about Kim's views on labor. Ji Seong-ho of the People Power Party pointed out, "It is true that he excessively supported certain factions and voiced negative opinions about union activities through YouTube," to which Kim responded, "I did not necessarily deny labor but spoke with some social concerns in mind."

Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, attended the National Assembly's audit on the Economic, Social and Labor Council held on the 12th and is drinking water before the audit begins. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

When asked by Representative Ji about dialogue plans with the KCTU, Chairman Kim said, "I had dinner with the KCTU sectoral chairpersons the day before; since I know them well, we agreed to cooperate candidly and that they would make requests to me," adding, "I will humbly and sincerely listen to the sectoral or enterprise-level workplaces affiliated with the KCTU that I know well."

So far, opposition parties and labor groups have criticized Kim's anti-union and far-right remarks. Kim had expressed opposition to the Yellow Envelope Act when meeting with Kim Dong-myung, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), stating, "I will point out problems where they exist," and regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act, he said, "Good companies suffer. There are toxic parts." He was also previously criticized for remarks such as "President Moon Jae-in deserves to be executed by firing squad."

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the audit, Chairman Kim said, "I will actively seek ways to build public consensus centered on labor-management dialogue, reduce social class disparities, and enhance fairness in the labor market," adding, "I will work to resolve current issues in cooperation not only with labor, management, and the central government but also with local governments." The National Assembly conducted national audits at the Environment and Labor Committee and six other standing committees on the same day.