The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (KCTU) decided to support Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, in the 21st presidential election and signed a policy agreement on the 1st.
Chairperson Kim Dong-myung signed the policy agreement with the candidate in a meeting of the KCTU Central Executive Committee held at the Korean Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on this Labor Day.
The seven major tasks of the KCTU outlined in the policy agreement include ▲ the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek and the eradication of long working hours ▲ the legislation of extending the retirement age to 65 and establishing a sustainable job social safety net ▲ the guarantee of universal labor rights without blind spots ▲ the guarantee of the right to organize and the establishment of a social solidarity bargaining system ▲ the expansion and reform of social security schemes in accordance with international standards ▲ enhancing the public nature and state responsibility of public pension, care services, and healthcare ▲ the constitutional amendment to respect labor and realize economic democratization.
According to the agreement, the candidate will promptly push for policy discussions with the KCTU once the presidential election results are confirmed, and will work jointly to implement the policy agreement made with the KCTU during the term. Additionally, the KCTU and the Democratic Party will establish a regular consultative body to discuss the implementation of the policy agreement and major labor and social issues, which will operate during the term.
The KCTU stated in the agreement, "We will fully support the Democratic Party and the candidate in the 21st presidential election and concentrate all organizational capabilities for the victory in the election." To this end, the KCTU plans to form the "KCTU 21st Presidential Election Victory Action Group" to carry out policy agreements and candidate support declarations, campaign support, and voting encouragement activities at various organizational levels.
Chairperson Kim noted at the policy agreement ceremony, "Now is the time to move past regression and division and to unite our efforts toward the beginning of a new South Korea," adding, "The KCTU overwhelmingly decided once again to support candidate Lee Jae-myung as we did three years ago, and we will embark on a nationwide campaign for victory in the presidential election."
Earlier, the KCTU decided to support the Democratic Party and the candidate in the presidential election to be held in June during an online temporary delegates meeting on the 29th of last month. In a preference vote among delegates concerning the Democratic Party, the Reform Party, and The Progressive Party, 779 out of 1,087 eligible delegates participated, resulting in the Democratic Party securing first place with 89.7% of the votes. The KCTU had also supported candidate Lee Jae-myung in the presidential election three years ago in 2022. Chairperson Kim was appointed as the chief director of the Democratic Party's 21st presidential campaign committee the day before.