Lee Jae-myung "Beware of Political Opportunism...Demand Legislative Action for Youth Labor Rights"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung has called for legislative action by the National Assembly while emphasizing youth labor rights.

Governor Lee stated on the 13th through SNS, "Labor rights education is the bare minimum weapon for youth in poor working conditions to protect themselves," and added, "Education alone does not solve the problem. We must first protect youth workers suffering right now. It is time to establish special provisions to realize the spirit of Article 32, Section 5 of the Constitution, which states 'minors in labor receive special protection,' in the Labor Standards Act."

He then conveyed Gyeonggi Province's commitment to practicing youth labor rights, and said, "Since local government efforts alone have limitations, I request legislative action at the National Assembly level," emphasizing, "It is difficult to pursue other reforms without the minimum trust that the state is protecting its sovereign people. We have no choice but to beware of political opportunism and consistently prove to the people through small but significant reform achievements."

The following is the full text of Governor Lee Jae-myung's SNS post.

<Action Over Words, Beware of Political Opportunism>
'Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.' One concrete action that actually changes people's lives is far more powerful than a hundred words claiming to serve the people.
Rights are protected as much as they are known. Labor rights education is the bare minimum weapon for youth in poor working conditions to protect themselves. This is already being done as part of regular curricula in advanced countries overseas under the philosophy that 'all citizens are workers.'
Education alone does not solve the problem. We must first protect youth workers suffering right now. It is time to establish special provisions to realize the spirit of Article 32, Section 5 of the Constitution, which states 'minors in labor receive special protection,' in the Labor Standards Act.
Gyeonggi Province is conducting labor rights education for approximately 100,000 youth and supporting the opening of labor rights courses at 10 universities in the province. We have also launched a workers' compensation insurance premium support project for specific industries where youth labor is prevalent. I hope that the result of one's first labor is not injury or death, and that the sorrows of young worker Lee Jae-myung from 40 years ago are not repeated.
Since local government efforts alone have limitations, I request legislative action at the National Assembly level. It is difficult to pursue other reforms without the minimum trust that the state is protecting its sovereign people. We have no choice but to beware of political opportunism and consistently prove to the people through small but significant reform achievements.