Opposition Expresses Solidarity with Major Trade Unions: "We Will Fight Together"

Lee Jae-myung's Two Major Labor Unions Youth Workers Town Hall Meeting
Justice Party Labor Oppression Prevention Countermeasures Committee

The opposition parties are joining forces with the two major labor unions to jointly respond against the government's tough stance on labor unions. The Democratic Party and the Justice Party have expressed their intention to unite with the two major labor unions and plan to stand against the current government's labor suppression.

On the 8th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a youth labor town hall meeting and labor policy discussion with the two major labor unions at the National Assembly, "The term 'labor suppression' has lingered in the public's mind for quite some time, and recently, a case of extreme choice due to excessive investigation by judicial authorities has unfolded before the public's eyes after a long time," adding, "Labor suppression is becoming a reality beyond just respecting labor." He pointed out, "It is time to reconsider the current government's ruling party's perception of workers," and said, "We will contemplate what the party can do."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The meeting was attended by young workers from both the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU). Regarding this, Lee also separately mentioned, "It is meaningful that workers belonging to the two major unions are gathered in one place." Besides Lee and the young workers from the two major unions, members of the Democratic Party's Environment and Labor Committee also participated. The Democratic Party explained, "We plan to receive effective institutional improvement measures from the perspective of young workers."

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, at the policy coordination meeting on the same day, criticized the FKTU's declaration of non-participation in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidential tripartite dialogue body, saying, "The labor sector is armed with clubs, capsaicin, and water cannons, and refuses to engage in further dialogue with a government that treats labor as an enemy." Park urged President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "Guarantee the constitutionally protected three labor rights, hold those responsible for violent suppression accountable, recognize the labor sector as an important pillar of our society, and come to the dialogue table." He added, "If the ESLC ultimately fails to function, the Democratic Party will strive to create a new consultation channel."

Kim Young-jin, Democratic Party member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee and the party's chief political affairs coordinator, when asked on SBS Radio before the meeting whether the party could unite with the two major unions on the issue of labor suppression, responded, "The Democratic Party's value is to stand in solidarity with workers and those in hardship during difficult times, so our basic stance is to unite on this issue," adding, "We will strive and fight together."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young criticized on MBC Radio, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has no labor policy. If anything, it only has a sandbag policy," and said, "It seems they view labor as a punching bag to vent frustration, divert attention when approval ratings drop, or to hit and kick."

The Justice Party formed the 'Yoon Suk-yeol Government Labor Suppression Countermeasure Committee' (tentative name) on the same day. Justice Party lawmaker Lee Eun-ju announced the formation of the special committee at a press conference, stating, "In the June extraordinary session, we will push for urgent questioning and hearings in all relevant standing committees such as the National Assembly Steering Committee, Environment and Labor Committee, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and thoroughly hold those responsible for the current situation accountable during the upcoming government questioning next week," adding, "We will also pursue necessary solidarity and strengthen our existing alliance with labor unions two to threefold. We will also promote joint opposition efforts among the opposition parties."

Meanwhile, conflicts between the government and labor sector are escalating, as the FKTU decided the previous day to withdraw from the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a social dialogue body under the president.