Kim Younghoon: "Ban on Early Morning Deliveries Requires Caution... Thorough Investigation into London Bagel Museum" [2025 Audit]

Comprehensive Audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 30th
Early Morning Delivery Ban Requires Consideration of Consumers and Conditions
Agrees on the Need to Regulate Continuous Night Work

As the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Courier Workers' Union is demanding a complete ban on early morning deliveries, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon stated on the 30th that "the matter requires careful consideration."

Minister Kim made this remark in response to a question from Assemblywoman Cho Jiyeon of the People Power Party during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held by the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee. He explained, "We need to consider the consumer perspective and various other conditions together." However, when Assemblyman Park Hongbae of the Democratic Party of Korea asked whether there was a need to legally regulate continuous night work, Minister Kim replied, "I agree with the necessity."

Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, is responding to lawmakers' questions during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held on the 30th at the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, the Courier Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions demanded at the 'Courier Social Dialogue Body' that late-night deliveries be restricted from midnight to 5 a.m. to prevent overwork among delivery drivers. Regarding this, Minister Kim explained, "I understand that the goal is to reach an agreement through social dialogue by the end of the year." He also stated, "I will promptly announce the Ministry's official position, rather than my personal view as Minister."

Regarding the recent suspicion that a worker in their 20s died from overwork at the well-known bakery cafe London Bagel Museum, Minister Kim said, "We initiated a special inspection starting yesterday," and added, "If necessary, we will take various measures." He also made several strong statements, emphasizing, "We will conduct a thorough investigation" and "We will get to the root of the issue without fail."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor is currently conducting a labor inspection of both the London Bagel Museum Incheon branch, where the deceased employee worked, and the headquarters (LBM Co., Ltd.). The Ministry plans to investigate not only the deceased employee but also other staff to check for additional damages and to examine any violations of labor laws. If there is a possibility of legal violations, the Ministry announced it would expand the inspection to all five remaining locations.

As the government announced plans to promote mock negotiations between original contractors and subcontractors with the participation of labor and management to ensure the successful implementation of the Yellow Envelope Act (the amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), Minister Kim commented, "The labor sector is ready, but companies are hesitating." He added, "We are running simulations based on various assumptions to prepare for different scenarios, and we will supplement the enforcement ordinances and related regulations accordingly."