Lee Jaemyung Highlights Labor Issues at Goyang Campaign Rally
"We Should Change the Title of Labor Inspectors to 'Labor Police'"
In Response to Ruling Party's 'Coffee Cost 120 Won' Criticism, Lee Says "Distortion"
Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, referred to the SPC bakery factory fatality and stated, "The Serious Accidents Punishment Act is meant to strictly punish those who, through negligence, cause death or injury to others while profiting from their labor." He then openly criticized Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, saying, "Yet there are people who loudly call this a 'bad law.'"
On the 20th, at Ilsan Culture Square in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, where he visited with his campaign vehicle, Lee said, "Yesterday, another SPC worker reportedly died after being caught in a belt," adding, "The workplace, where people go to make a living, has become a place of death." Lee pointed out, "Some people, in order to save costs and earn higher profits, neglect to implement necessary safety measures and devices. When someone dies, the on-site workers take the blame, the insurance company pays the compensation, and when an accident occurs, employees end up going to jail on behalf of others. In such circumstances, who would be motivated to properly install safety devices?"
Discussing the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, he remarked, "Because people are driven by desire, we should not simply blame individuals for acting this way. It is the role of politics and the law to prevent such behavior." He continued, "This law was not unilaterally created by the Democratic Party. It was established through an agreement with the People Power Party and with national consensus. Since its implementation, it is said that the fatality rate in our country, which has the highest rate of industrial accidents in the world, has decreased somewhat."
Lee raised his voice in criticism toward Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, who labeled the Serious Accidents Punishment Act a "bad law." Lee stated, "Even if there are people who value money over human life, it is the role of politics to dissuade such actions," adding, "Now that we are among the world's top 10 economies, top 5 military powers, and a cultural powerhouse, shouldn't we start acting with some dignity?"
On this day, Lee also emphasized labor issues beyond the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. He said, "When people work at the same workplace, at the same time, and in the same place, some are paid more simply because they are regular employees, while others receive less because they are temporary workers. Logically, those working temporarily should be paid more, and in most other countries, that is the case." He questioned, "How can workers survive under these conditions?" and pointed out, "The right to unionize is guaranteed by the Constitution, but workers are being divided into non-regular and part-time positions to pit them against each other."
He also stated, "Illegal and unlawful practices are widespread in workplaces, but there is no one to supervise or oversee them," adding, "We must put an end to profiting from breaking the law." Lee stressed, "We should change the title of labor inspectors to 'labor police' and continuously monitor not only whether workplace laws are being followed and whether wages are being withheld, but also whether labor safety laws, such as those stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act, are being properly observed."
Regarding the People Power Party's attacks over his "coffee cost 120 won" remark, he said, "It is wrong to manipulate and distort the other side's statements. This is not a conversation, but an attempt to fight and pick a quarrel, and that is exactly what the People Power Party is doing." Previously, on the 16th, Lee had spoken during a campaign event about his experience as governor eliminating illegal businesses, saying, "I restructured things and told them not to sell chicken porridge but to sell coffee and tea. You have to boil chicken for an hour to earn 30,000 won, but you can get 8,000 to 10,000 won for a cup of coffee. When I checked, the cost price was 120 won."
Lee asked, "Did I disparage self-employed people or accuse them of overcharging?" and added, "Wasn't I simply recommending that such a business transition is desirable?" He then targeted Kim Yongtae, the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman, who had criticized his remarks, saying, "It seems the former ruling party's leader even put quotation marks around my words, but is this something a responsible representative of a public political party should say? Isn't this clearly the public dissemination of false information with the intent to make me lose the election?"
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