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Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Korea Herald
Alleged bully behind death of MBC's Oh Yoanna faces civil suit
Bereaved family of late former weather presenter seeks civil compensation, frustrated by legal loophole preventing punishment of perpetrators The civil lawsuit related to the death of Oh Yoanna, formerly a weathercaster for broadcasting station MBC, is slated to resume in July, against a colleague pinpointed as having bullied her. Local media reported Tuesday that the Seoul Central District Court will hold a hearing on July 22 in the compensation case filed by the bereaved family of Oh. The sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for March 27, but was postponed after the defendant — who had previously failed to respond to the court proceedings — submitted documents indicating she had hired legal representation. Oh passed away last September at the age of 28. In 17 pages of notes written by the deceased, Oh had specified how she had been harassed at work. Four individuals were identified by local media as alleged perpetrators. Oh's family later clarified that one of the four had been a bystander, not an active participant in the bullying. The Ministry of Employment and Labor's investigation concluded earlier this month that there had been incidents of harassment against the deceased by her colleagues. However, it noted that this did not legally constitute workplace harassment as defined by the Labor Standards Act, because weathercasters by law are not recognized as 'workers.' The ministry stated that it is not subject to criminal punishment or administrative fines as the Labor Standards Act does not apply to the vocation of Oh and her colleagues, adding that MBC is responsible for conducting an independent investigation and pursuing punitive actions for those responsible. The bereaved family expressed regret over the government's conclusion. "(Oh) did all that MBC told her to do, and the Labor Ministry says she's not a worker. Did the ministry make this decision not to get on MBC's nerves? How can it reach a decision that tears apart the bereaved family? Did they even properly investigate?" said Jang Mi-yeong, Oh's mother, about the ministry's announcement. MBC expressed its condolences to Oh and her family after the ministry released its statement, and dismissed one of the alleged bullies from her post.
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
None of the packages you're expecting will arrive on June 3
Major logistics firms including CJ Logistics, Hanjin and Lotte have announced they will suspend deliveries on the June 3 presidential election day, as they did in 2022. What's different this time is the participation of Coupang, the South Korean e-commerce giant that had kept operations running during past elections. This year, it will also pause deliveries, giving its workers the day off. The decision followed a press conference on Wednesday by the National Union of Delivery Workers and several civic groups in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square. They called on the government to recommend a nationwide halt in parcel services on the election day, arguing that delivery workers should be given time to vote. At the event, union leaders also singled out Coupang, accusing the company of escalating competition and worsening conditions for workers. 'Because of Coupang, all the other logistics firms began seven-day delivery schedules to stay competitive, forcing workers to work even on June 3,' the union said. 'The 21st presidential election should be a 'no parcel' day.' In South Korea, most delivery workers are not classified as full-time employees. Instead, they are considered 'specially employed' contractors, a category that falls outside the protections of the Labor Standards Act. That means they are not entitled to benefits such as paid leave on public holidays, and the decision to have a day off is entirely up to the companies.
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
On Election Day, should deliveries stop? Delivery workers call for 'no parcel day' designation
As South Korea prepares for an early presidential election on June 3, labor groups and civic organizations are raising the alarm that thousands of parcel delivery workers may not be able to vote at all. In Korea, most delivery workers are not classified as employees, but as 'specially employed' contractors. That means they are excluded from protections under the Labor Standards Act, including the right to a paid holiday on Election Day. Although the government has designated June 3 as an official public holiday, that legal status only guarantees paid time off to workers formally recognized under the law, leaving out the vast number of people who deliver packages across the country every day. The Democratic Labor Party's presidential candidate, Kwon Yeong-guk, issued a statement on Wednesday calling for the government to designate June 3 as a 'no-delivery day.' He warned that failing to do so would violate basic rights. 'Delivery workers aren't just missing a day off. They're being denied a fundamental constitutional right -- the right to vote,' he said. The demand is backed by a coalition of labor and civic groups, including the National Union of Delivery Workers and People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy. At a press conference in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Wednesday, they urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to step in and advise logistics companies to halt operations on Election Day. 'It's not an unreasonable request,' they said. 'Packages can wait a day. Democracy shouldn't have to.' Major logistics firms like Coupang CLS, CJ Logistics, Hanjin, and Lotte have not declared June 3 a day off, according to the labor union. That means many drivers are expected to work on Election Day, often without extra pay. The Korea Integrated Logistics Association has also not issued any guidelines. An official at one large logistics provider, speaking to The Korea Herald on condition of anonymity, said some of their subcontractors already offer four or five-day workweeks, and that 'drivers can go and vote if they make arrangements in advance.' But labor groups argue that such flexibility is not common, especially under pressure from expectations of deliveries seven days a week. Under Korean labor law, employers with five or more staff must provide paid time off for public holidays. But since most couriers are technically not employees, they are not covered. 'Leaving them out of the democratic process is not just bad policy,' Kwon said. 'It's institutional neglect.' For those unable to vote on June 3, South Korea's election watchdog has designated May 29 and 30 as early voting days. During this period, select polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Korea Herald
19-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Editorial] Back to square one
Semiconductor bill in crisis; Opposition leader changes stance A bill to strengthen the competitiveness of the nation's semiconductor industry is in crisis over a clause that exempts R&D workers in the industry from the 52-hour workweek. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties discussed the clause in a subcommittee meeting of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee on Monday, but failed to agree on it. The ruling People Power Party is clinging to the position that it should stay, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is arguing the issue should be covered by the Labor Standards Act. But this would mean the Environment and Labor Committee is supposed to handle it. Democratic Party members of the committee oppose making an exception for the semiconductor industry. The Democratic Party wants to proceed with the bill without the clause. Rep. Kim Won-i of the party said that it was a minor part of the bill. But for the ruling party, that clause is the key point. The bill covers government subsidies, research and development support, related infrastructure construction and other support to raise the competitiveness of South Korea's semiconductor industry. Among others, allowing companies to ask R&D scientists and engineers to work longer hours than the legal maximum of 52 hours a week is what business lobby groups want the most. Semiconductor companies can make investments with their own funds even without government subsidies, but they can make employees work more R&D hours flexibly only if an exception to Korea's universal 52-hour workweek is approved. Business lobby groups say it will be difficult for Korean companies that are forced to turn off the lights of their labs after 52 hours to beat competitor TSMC in Taiwan, where R&D professionals work longer shifts. The Democratic Party is said to be concerned that once an exception is allowed for the semiconductor industry, other strategic industries will likely make the same demand, eventually negating the universality of the 52-hour workweek. But for the ruling party, this is an excessive worry. It is desirable to deal with work hours issues through labor and management agreements reflecting the different conditions of individual companies. The working life of highly paid scientists and engineers differs from that for production workers. For the conservative party, the breakdown of negotiations over the bill is attributable to Democratic Party Chair Rep. Lee Jae-myung's change of position. He said in a debate on the bill on Feb. 3 that he sympathized with an opinion that it is reasonable to give flexibility in work hours to R&D professionals only. He said that he was at a loss for words, in response to a question about whether there was a problem in letting them work intensively as an exception, provided they agree to do so. Two days later, however, he backpedaled, saying that he doubts it is necessary to make an exception for the semiconductor industry. In a National Assembly speech on Feb. 10, Lee said that it was wrong to argue that international competitiveness in the high-tech field can be raised through lengthening work hours and labor exploitation. Lee backtracked to reflect the strong backlash from umbrella union Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, lawmakers and party supporters. He had once said that he prioritized business-driven growth, apparently to extend his base, but he eventually came back to his original prolabor position. Regarding the issue of revising the Inheritance Tax Act, Lee recently argued for tax deductions to be expanded for those who inherit a home. But he looked away when it came to a key issue: cutting the highest inheritance tax rate to lessen the burden on those who inherit a business. South Korea has the second highest inheritance tax rate among OECD member countries. But Lee has said it will only benefit the superrich. When the ruling party commented that he was ideologically moving from left to right, Lee argued that his party was originally focused on the economy and that fools do not change.
Korea Herald
11-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Cabinet approves 3 years of combined parental leave
South Korean employees will be eligible to apply for up to three years of shared parental leave beginning on Feb. 23, in the latest move to encourage workers to give birth and help overcome the nation's population crisis. At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, presided over by acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, the government approved enforcement decrees allowing employees to conditionally take up to 1 1/2 years of parental leave, increased from the current one year. For dual-income households, this extends to a combined total of three years when both parents utilize the leave. A couple would be eligible to extend their leave for a combined three years of shared parental leave if each parent has already used at least three months of leave. A single parent or the parent of a child with disabilities could also take 1 1/2 years of paid leave. A parent using the entire 18 months of parental leave would be paid 32.7 million won ($22,500) throughout the period , with an applicant being paid up to 2.5 million won monthly for the first three months and 2 million won monthly for the next three months. For the rest of the parental leave, employees would receive 1.6 million won per month. Currently, workers on parental leave receive a maximum of 1.5 million won per month. Also, with the introduction of enforcement decrees, an employee's 18-month parental leave could be split into four sections to be used at any time up until the child is 8 years old. Before the introduction, an employee was eligible to divide their 12 months of leave into three parts. Shorter working weeks will also be applied to a wider range of child-rearing parents. Starting on Feb. 23, a parent with a 12-year-old child or younger may shorten their workweek to 35 hours for up to three years -- in a country that legally has a 52-hour workweek in place -- as the new policy seeks to reimburse for unused parental leave of up to a year with two extra years of shorter working hours. The Cabinet also approved the revision of an enforcement decree related to the Employment Insurance Act, which ensures a minimum of 10 days leave for miscarriage or stillbirth for an expecting mother who was 15 weeks pregnant or less. The revised Labor Standards Act will allow an aspiring mother to take up to six days of fertility treatment leave, including two days paid, per year from the current three days.
