Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 25th apologized at the National Assembly for the Daejeon fire disaster that left 74 dead or injured, saying it was a typical man-made disaster. In response to the opposition's demand that he submit his resignation letter, Minister Kim said, "I will think it over."
At a current affairs briefing of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee that day, Minister Kim answered this way to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Kim So-hee, who asked about the Daejeon fire disaster, "Will you submit your resignation letter?"
Earlier, at a Cabinet meeting in Jul. last year, Minister Kim said he would "stake his position" in response to President Lee Jae-myung's demand for strong measures on industrial accidents.
That day, lawmaker Kim asked, "Do you still carry your resignation letter with you?" and Minister Kim said, "Yes. I feel a heavy responsibility."
Lawmaker Kim asked, "Regarding this disaster, I think you should submit your resignation and then deal with the aftermath. Will you submit it?" Minister Kim said, "I will think it over."
He added, "There are multiple reasons industrial accidents have not decreased even after the Serious Accidents Punishment Act took effect," and said, "It is important to distinguish where tailored penalties are needed and where support is needed."
In response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jong-bae, who asked, "Do you see it as a simple fire-related accident?", Minister Kim said, "I judge it to be a typical man-made disaster. I am truly sorry."
He continued, "In a 2023 inspection, issues such as 'slippery floors' were pointed out, and because vapor would have fallen to the floor, we should have gone one step further, which is regrettable," and added, "We are looking into whether the inspection was carried out in a perfunctory way."
He added, "We will break down walls between ministries, and local governments, fire authorities, police, and labor authorities will conduct a transparent investigation and a strict probe and report comprehensive measures."
Regarding the yellow envelope law, the president again said it is hard to view him as an "employer." When People Power Party lawmaker Jo Ji-yeon asked, "How far can a public-sector union's employer status be determined? Is the president an employer?", Minister Kim said, "It is hard to view the president as an employer. The president's specific control is based on laws and budgets."