President Lee Criticizes 'Hiring of Union Members' Children' as "the Epitome of Unfairness"

President Lee Jae Myung Presides Over the 41st Cabinet Meeting
"Labor Union Demands That Cause Social Conflict Should Be Restrained"

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the 41st Cabinet Meeting held on the 9th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee Jae Myung on the 9th criticized the practice of hiring the children of labor union members at companies, calling it "the epitome of unfairness."

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan on this day, President Lee said, "I recently saw a news report about a controversy where there was an attempt to grant priority hiring rights to the children of union members. Should this really be allowed? Isn't this the epitome of unfairness?" he asked rhetorically.

He continued, "While I understand the difficulties on the ground, if rules are created that allow incumbent union members' children to be specially recruited simply because of their influence, wouldn't that cause unfair disadvantages to others?" he reiterated in his criticism.

President Lee stressed, "Fair competition is essential not only in the corporate sector but also in the labor sector," adding, "The job market, more than any other field, requires transparent and fair competition."

He also stated, "Just as wage arrears and lax safety management must be eliminated, labor union demands that cause social conflict should also be restrained," and urged, "I once again ask that both sides act responsibly based on mutual respect."