Regarding calls from some in labor circles to restrict dawn deliveries, Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said, "It needs careful review."

On the 30th, People Power Party lawmaker Jo Ji-yeon said at the National Assembly's Committee on Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor audit that "the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is demanding a complete halt to late-night deliveries by e-commerce corporations such as Coupang," adding, "Workers' right to health is important, but using that as a reason to ban dawn delivery itself is excessive regulation."

Kim Young-hoon, Minister of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), answers lawmakers' questions during the comprehensive audit on the Ministry of Employment and Labor at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 30th. /Courtesy of News1

Previously, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Nationwide Parcel Delivery Workers' Union (Parcel Delivery Workers' Union) released a statement saying that workers' right to health must be guaranteed and deliveries during the early late-night hours from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. should be restricted.

In response, Minister Kim Young-hoon said, "While the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport oversees the dawn delivery issue, the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) is also participating in the consultative body," adding, "We will comprehensively review consumer convenience and employment impacts, including workers' right to health." He continued, "A commissioned study for medical review of overall late-night work is being pursued as a state task," and said, "We plan to analyze not only parcel delivery workers but also the general state of night work and its health effects."

Jo said, "There are many drivers who voluntarily prefer night deliveries," adding, "because traffic is lighter and earnings are higher." Jo continued, "Dual-income couples and small self-employed people are the main users, and bringing this ecosystem to a halt at once could cause market disruption," and said, "Rather than an unconditional ban, we should also consider workers' freedom of choice and consumer convenience."

The Minister said, "When introducing a new system, we must ensure its intent is not diluted while fully gathering opinions from various stakeholders."

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