Environment and Labor Committee Holds Subcommittee Meeting on July 28
to Discuss Related Legislation
The likelihood of the National Assembly passing the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act), which was twice vetoed during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is increasing.
On July 28, Democratic Party and Progressive Party lawmakers from the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee, together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, held a party-government meeting at the National Assembly to discuss the Yellow Envelope Act. Kim Jooyoung, the Democratic Party’s secretary for the committee, told reporters after the meeting, “We are approaching this in a manner similar to the previously passed bill,” and added, “While the grace period still needs to be discussed, we intend to proceed as before.”
The Yellow Envelope Act passed the National Assembly plenary session twice during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, but was ultimately scrapped due to vetoes by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The main provisions of the discarded bill are to strengthen the responsibility of primary contractors for subcontractors and to expand the scope of workers’ industrial actions. It also included a provision that the law would take effect six months after promulgation.
During the opening remarks of the public party-government meeting, both the ruling party and the government emphasized the need for swift passage of the Yellow Envelope Act. Ahn Hoyoung, chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee from the Democratic Party, stated, “I believe the law should also change to adjust to the evolving realities of the labor environment.” Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon also said, “If the National Assembly enacts a law that saves lives, I will do my utmost to ensure the law is implemented quickly and stably in the field.”
On the 28th, members of the ruling and opposition parties greeted each other at the 1st Employment and Labor Law Review Subcommittee of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. 2025.7.28 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The Democratic Party plans to process the bill as early as the July extraordinary session of the National Assembly. Regarding whether the bill could be placed on the agenda for the plenary session on August 4, within the current term, Kim said, “It may be possible,” but added, “We need to consider the timing.” On this day, the Environment and Labor Committee held a subcommittee meeting to deliberate on the Yellow Envelope Act.
The People Power Party demanded a halt to the push for the Yellow Envelope Act. Song Eonseok, acting chairman and floor leader of the People Power Party, said, “The Yellow Envelope Act is an attempt to institutionalize illegal strikes by fundamentally blocking damage claims related to illegal strikes and occupations,” and expressed concern that “the burden will fall squarely on partner companies and small and medium-sized enterprises.”
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