The People Power Party officially proposed the establishment of a 'bipartisan labor-management joint committee' to discuss follow-up measures regarding the so-called yellow envelope law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act) and the proposed revisions to the Commercial Act. The Democratic Party of Korea noted, "We will consider it," leaving the possibility of discussion open.
Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th, "Although there are six months remaining until the law takes effect, disputes by subcontractor unions against primary contractors have already erupted in the industrial field."
He explained that there have been ongoing demands for negotiations targeting primary contractors from workers of six subsidiaries of Naver and unions from Hyundai Steel and Hanwha Ocean.
The floor leader pointed out, "Concerns that increasing negotiations and strikes will raise labor costs and inevitably reduce youth employment are becoming a reality."
He added, "Experts' concerns that amendments to the Trade Union Act and Commercial Act, U.S. tariff increases, and excessive promises of investment in the U.S. will inevitably lead to deindustrialization of Korea continue to be raised," stating, "I propose the establishment of a bipartisan labor-management joint committee to discuss the amendments to the Trade Union Act and Commercial Act to create a rational labor environment right now."
In response, the ruling Democratic Party stated, "We will consider it." After a policy coordination meeting that day, spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung spoke to reporters, saying, "Since it was proposed by the People Power Party, we will review it in the party."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party warned of a 'boycott of the regular National Assembly session,' stating that it would not cooperate with future National Assembly schedules without an apology and reflection from National Assembly speaker Woo Won-sik and the Democratic Party's leadership regarding the defeat of their party's recommended candidate for the National Human Rights Commission commissioner.
In response, spokesperson Kim stated, "There are no options available for the party regarding the boycott decision," adding, "Regardless of that, we will steadily process the reforms and legislation for people's livelihood that need to be addressed."