The People Power Party criticized the ruling Democratic Party's re-proposal of the yellow envelope law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) on the 24th, saying it would turn corporate sites into '365 days a year of strike sites' and called it an unconstitutional law that restricts property rights, a core element of the private property system that underpins the constitution.
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, made this statement at a committee meeting that morning.
Earlier, on the 17th, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hong-bae introduced a revised bill on labor law. The content is similar to the bill that President Yoon Suk-yeol vetoed last August, focusing on strengthening primary responsibility for subcontracting and expanding the scope of dispute activities.
However, there are criticisms that it may act as a 'toxic provision' that could hinder corporate management since it prevents companies from claiming damages if workers refuse to work due to strikes.
The People Power Party believes that while the leader is outwardly showing a 'rightward shift' by presenting a pro-corporation stance, in reality, they are pursuing policies that are the exact opposite, such as derailing the processing of the special semiconductor law.
Kweon noted, "Before the ink on the New Year’s press conference statement stating that 'corporate growth is national economic growth' has even dried, the Democratic Party, represented by Lee Jae-myung, has started to push forward with its representative 'anti-corporate evil law' again." He added, "This is why many people point out that it is uncertain where (the leader's statements) are headed and that they feel anxious about it."
Kweon emphasized, "But there's no need to be confused," saying, "If we look at 'Lee Jae-myung's practice,' the answer is simple. The Democratic Party is fundamentally an anti-corporate, anti-market, and anti-freedom leftist party." He continued, "The truck driver called the Democratic Party is a reckless driver, but the owner of the truck is the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU)" and stated, "It's a party that cannot promote policies that go against the core interests of KCTU."
Kim Sang-hoon, chairman of the policy committee, said, "Our country's economic growth rate has remained at 1% and the Bank of Korea's corporate sentiment index recorded 82.3%, decreasing for four consecutive months," and pointed out, "In this crisis situation, the Democratic Party opposed the special semiconductor law, inheritance tax rate reduction, and revitalization laws while proposing the yellow envelope law."
In particular, he criticized, "(The law) limits corporations' ability to claim damages even if the company suffers losses," adding, "According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 99.6% of damage claims against unions are against the KCTU."
He further stated, "Ultimately, the yellow envelope law means a law to block corporations' legitimate claims for damages against the KCTU, which has committed illegal strikes," urging, "The Democratic Party, which plays a dual role for the KCTU, should immediately withdraw the introduction of the yellow envelope law, which encourages illegal strikes and stifles corporations."