President Yoon Criticizes Unions for Opposing ROK-US Drills and Exploiting Hiring
Also Highlights Need to Address Union-Related Issues
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated regarding illegal activities by labor unions, "We will do our best to eradicate all deep-rooted evils not just for a short time but until the end of the term."
Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, conveyed on the 22nd at the Yongsan Presidential Office briefing that President Yoon said at the Cabinet meeting the previous day, "Informing about union issues is the beginning of solving the problem. We must see it through to the end."
Spokesperson Lee said, "Yesterday, during the Cabinet meeting discussion, President Yoon reiterated the reason why our government is pursuing labor reform," adding, "President Yoon said that liberal democracy and the market economy system are the fundamental order of our constitution, and if they are not upheld, economic development becomes difficult and corporate value cannot be properly evaluated."
President Yoon particularly explained the necessity of eradicating illegal activities by unions, saying, "Unions are shouting against the ROK-US joint military exercises and engaging in hiring racketeering."
Regarding the monthly allowance issue of tower crane operators, he said, "It’s not that the media didn’t know about this issue and therefore didn’t report it. Why wouldn’t it have appeared in the media over the past five years? Isn’t it because no one raised the issue and people didn’t want disadvantages? Haven’t we all adapted and lived like that? It’s not easy to change such malpractices. Just like you need to know the illness to treat it, continuous reporting and raising awareness of the problem are important."
Regarding strengthening transparency in union accounting, he also mentioned, "Many union members are curious about where the dues they pay are being used by the executive, but union members cannot raise objections," adding, "Because they are not left alone. They are ostracized and subjected to suffering. However, if the social atmosphere changes, change will begin."
When a reporter asked about the meaning of 'a union-like union, an employer-like employer' mentioned by President Yoon the previous day, a key official from the Presidential Office explained, "A union works to improve the social and economic status of its members, and an employer has management and labor relations ethics to uphold as an employer," adding, "The intention is that each fulfilling their respective roles will help create a market economy system."
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