The People Power Party criticized Kim Yong-beom, the presidential office's policy chief, for saying that "much of the concern is exaggerated" regarding the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act). They particularly urged the government to stop pushing the bill, claiming it unilaterally accepts the demands of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
Choi Eun-seok, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on Facebook on the 21st that Kim's comment that "there will be no case of corporations fleeing overseas because of the Yellow Envelope Act" is "a blatant lie," adding, "There are clear structural reasons why corporations are going abroad."
He added, "The reason our corporations have been able to secure competitiveness in the global market is thanks to efficient outsourcing and the division of labor with our partners," noting, "Nevertheless, Kim defined this outsourcing only within the outdated frame of 'subcontracting.' The government is pushing policies based on this ignorant perception."
Choi further stated, "To compel negotiations with partnering companies by law ultimately means demanding that corporations directly invest in all facilities and hire all personnel. This places unbearable burdens on domestic corporations, leading them to inevitably go overseas."
He pointed out, "If the person responsible for the policy does not even understand this basic structure, it is incompetence, and if they pretend not to know while knowing, it is deception," concluding, "Ultimately, all that remains are collapsed jobs and a dismantled industrial base."
Joo Jin-woo, a member of the same party, criticized Kim's statement that "if corporations move overseas, we can simply revise the Yellow Envelope Act." At a press briefing the day before, Kim, in response to a question about the side effects of the Yellow Envelope Act, said, "If such a situation arises, we can revise the law again. As it is a new system, we will closely communicate between the party and the government to carefully monitor any possible side effects."
Joo criticized Kim's remarks, stating, "This is the height of irresponsibility. I guarantee that the law will not be easily amended," adding, "Once problems arise, it will be too late. Corporations will suffer from ongoing negotiations and strikes with over 1,000 subcontractors."
He continued, "The Yellow Envelope Act is a long-awaited bill for labor groups such as the KCTU, and it is evident that it will hold the economy hostage with a large-scale political strike," stating, "Only the KCTU will benefit. It will become advantageous for union membership to increase, and they will only think of ways to extort corporations under the pretext of various negotiations."