Han Donghoon and Jang Hyeoyoung's Debate Praised as 'Exemplary'... "Isn't This How Politics Should Be?"

Debate on Early Morning Delivery Held on CBS Radio
Logical Arguments Presented Instead of Emotional Responses
Jin Joongkwon: "Exemplary Attitude and Reasoning in the Debate"

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon and former Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-yeong held a debate on November 3, focusing on the topic of "dawn delivery." Rather than engaging in a verbal fight, they conducted a well-structured and substantive discussion, earning praise for being exemplary.

On the evening of that day, Han and Jang appeared on CBS Radio to debate the solution proposed by the parcel delivery union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which calls for suspending dawn delivery services from midnight to 5 a.m.

Jang described the proposal as "a very rational plan that aims to maintain the dawn delivery service as much as possible while minimizing the high-intensity, long-hour, late-night work that has become a cause of death for workers." On the other hand, Han said, "There is no disagreement that we must prevent deaths from overwork," but added, "We cannot simply leave everything to the market, and when necessary, we must intervene precisely to prevent side effects. However, the current approach to dawn delivery is not a precise intervention."

Han pointed out that dawn delivery workers have chosen their own work schedules, and if dawn delivery is banned, part-time workers at logistics centers will have to take on more work during the night. He noted that if the health impact of night work is the issue, "it would be consistent to propose banning all night work, but there are voices questioning why only dawn delivery is being specifically targeted for elimination." Han also remarked, "In order for deliveries to start at 5 a.m., sorting, collection, and loading must take place during the early morning hours. This means that part-time and temporary workers at logistics centers will have to work even more, and they receive lower wages."

Jang explained that the proposal from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is "not about eliminating the service, but about maintaining dawn delivery while ensuring that parcel delivery workers do not have to work between midnight and 5 a.m." Regarding the details, she said, "Sorting work and delivery work should be separated, with sorting workers hired separately. This requires new funding, and while most courier companies have agreed to raise delivery fees to share the burden with consumers and businesses, Coupang has not participated in this agreement," she criticized.

The debate between Han and Jang was praised as exemplary for its clear organization of issues, mutual respect, and logical responses rather than emotional reactions.

Jin Joongkwon, a professor at Kwangwoon University, commented on the debate, saying, "Although they failed to reach a consensus, the attitude and style of argumentation were exemplary and left a deep impression on me." He added on social media, "Isn't this how politics should be done?" He further remarked, "Banning dawn delivery seems like too rough an approach, while the argument for maintaining dawn delivery requires more consideration for 'alternatives' that can address concerns about night work in the future."