President Lee Orders Inspection of Korean Companies in Third Countries for Labor Oppression and Human Rights Violations

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
"Issue of National Prestige... Preventing National Embarrassment and Losses"

On January 20, President Lee Jaemyung urged relevant ministries to thoroughly monitor whether there are any cases of labor oppression or human rights violations involving Korean companies operating in third countries, in order to prevent national embarrassment and losses caused by the actions of certain companies.

Yonhap News Agency

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on this day, President Lee requested, "When our companies enter third-world countries and engage in businesses that depend on low-wage labor, I ask that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy all keep a close eye on whether there are any incidents of labor oppression or human rights violations."

President Lee also mentioned, "We have experienced many cases where foreign companies come into our country, engage in labor oppression and unfair dismissals, ignore court orders for reinstatement, withdraw, and then establish new companies to transfer their business elsewhere."

In this context, he referred to the issue as one of "national prestige," citing an example of unfair dismissal by a company operating in Cambodia. President Lee said, "They claim it was an individual's action and that it happened before the acquisition, but in reality, once the company is acquired, the management is responsible," adding, "Wouldn't they resent us otherwise?"

President Lee continued, "At a time when the Republic of Korea is gaining international recognition, I ask each ministry to ensure that national embarrassment and losses do not occur due to the very base desires of a few members."