'Reintroduction of the Yellow Envelope Act' Opposition's Park Hong-bae: "Urgent Livelihood Bill... Expedite the Process"

Press Conference on the Introduction of Amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act on the 24th
Park Hong-bae: "Should Take Precedence Over Any Other Livelihood Bill"

Park Hong-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who reintroduced the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act), stated that "the party leadership, the Environment and Labor Committee, and the Policy Coordination Meeting will actively propose and demand swift progress on the bill."

Park Hong-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is reading the press conference statement at the Yellow Envelope Act press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido on the 24th. Photo by Hwang Seo-yul chestnut@

On the 24th, after a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido to announce the reintroduction of the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, Park met with reporters and said, "The Democratic Party's Livelihood and Economic Recovery Task Force announced the bills that should be prioritized, but this bill, which was introduced on the 17th, was not included," adding, "There is no doubt that the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act are livelihood bills that should take precedence over any other."

Park also said, "There was no separate consultation with the party leadership or the Policy Committee when introducing the bill," but added, "Since this bill was originally promoted as a party policy, I expect the party to continuously push for its amendment."

The Yellow Envelope Act refers to the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (Labor Union Act). Article 2 of the Labor Union Act protects substantive labor-management relations and expands the scope of lawful strike actions, while Article 3 includes provisions to prevent excessive damages claimed by employers. Although the bill passed the National Assembly in December 2023 and August last year during the 21st and 22nd National Assemblies respectively, it was twice vetoed by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and discarded.

On the 21st, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated during a meeting with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) that in response to FKTU’s request to re-push the Yellow Envelope Act, "Since it has been reintroduced, we will pursue it unwaveringly as a party policy."

It is understood that the same promise was made on the same day at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). Hong Ji-wook, vice chairman of KCTU, said, "(Leader Lee) expressed the position that once the impeachment phase is over, the Yellow Envelope Act could be announced soon among labor reform laws."

Park said that while the fast-track procedure is also under consideration, the priority is to attempt negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties. He stated, "Choi Sang-mok, the acting head, might consider exercising the veto," adding, "There are bills that are being pushed quickly despite anticipating a veto, and there are bills for which we try to find a consensus through consultation with the ruling party. Since there are lawmakers from labor backgrounds in the Environment and Labor Committee, we intend to have sufficient discussions."

In response to criticism that the bill contradicts the Democratic Party’s policy direction focused on economy and growth, Park rebutted, "There are considerable misunderstandings and a tendency to demonize this bill," adding, "It is about creating a channel for dialogue for those who want to talk, so I find it hard to agree with the logic that it is anti-business or anti-economic."