Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong: "Advancing for the Right to Work Safely and Happily Without Discrimination"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, ahead of International Workers' Day (May 1), said, "I dream of a society where the labor of each and every citizen is respected," and added, "We will continuously advance for the right to work without discrimination, safely, and happily."

On the afternoon of the 26th, Mayor Kang attended the '133rd Labor Day Commemoration Event' held at the Buk-gu Traffic Culture Training Center and stated, "If Gwangju is a democratic city, not only the political rights of citizens but also their economic rights must be well protected."

He continued, "Gwangju City is working to grow industries such as AI and future cars in addition to foundational industries like the mining industry, and to realize a startup city, striving to guarantee the right to work," emphasizing, "Economic citizens' rights start from the right to work safely, without discrimination, and happily."

In particular, emphasizing 'worker safety,' he expressed his determination to actively engage in the 'Citywide Movement to Reduce the Three Major Causes of Death: Industrial Accidents, Traffic Accidents, and Suicide,' which Gwangju City is promoting.

Mayor Kang said, "Last year, 874 workers nationwide died from industrial accidents, and 18 in Gwangju alone. Although laws and manuals such as the Serious Accident Punishment Act have been established, they are not sufficient to prevent accidents, so we will ensure they are effectively enforced," and stressed, "Since Gwangju City is organizing and concretizing the 'Headquarters for Reducing the Three Major Causes of Death,' including industrial accidents, traffic accidents, and suicide, we will do our best to create a safe society."

He also added, "In the late 19th century, workers suffering from long hours and low wages chose solidarity as a means to confront Goliath-like corporations and governments. It is meaningful to be together at this event commemorating 133 years of labor solidarity, and today, workers' rights are protected not only by confrontational solidarity but also by solidarity for coexistence."

The event, hosted by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gwangju Regional Headquarters, was organized to celebrate workers who have contributed to establishing industrial peace and regional economic development, and to contribute to revitalizing the local economy through fostering a labor-management harmony atmosphere.

About 300 people attended the ceremony, including Mayor Kang, Kim Kwang-jin, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy, Jeong Mu-chang, Chair of the Gwangju City Council, Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Hwang Jong-cheol, Director of Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Office, Yoon Young-hyun, Executive Vice President of Gwangju Employers Federation, Park Mi-kyung, Executive Representative of Gwangju Civic Organizations Council, members and families of 18 industrial unions, among others. The event included awards for exemplary workers, scholarships for workers' children, and pledges to practice serious accident prevention.

In particular, through the pledge to practice serious accident prevention, the event carried the meaning of creating a "Zero Serious Accidents, Safe and Happy Gwangju" by promoting safety prevention practices at workplaces, expanding social interest, and spreading a voluntary improvement atmosphere for on-site risk factors.