DPK: "Mega Special District Act to Be Introduced in September"

[Financial News] The Democratic Party of Korea said on the 4th that it would introduce the Mega Special District Act by the end of September. It also said that the draft of the Mega Special District Act prepared by the Lee Jae-myung administration reflects the government's consideration of how to incorporate a Korean-style white-collar exemption, or an exception to the 52-hour maximum workweek regulation.
The ruling party and the government held a consultation at the National Assembly that day to discuss the draft Mega Special District Act. This was the first time lawmakers had been shown the bill since the Office for Government Policy Coordination, under the prime minister, began preparing the draft.
Jang Chul-min, secretary of the DPK's Special Committee on Mega Projects and Regional Growth Support, told reporters after the consultation, "Now that we have seen the draft of the bill today (the 4th), we plan to introduce it very quickly after reflecting the opinions you have given us and other content at the party level. It will be finalized before long. We expect the bill to be introduced by September."
Regarding the special provisions for labor flexibility, a key issue in the Mega Special District Act, he said, "The government's bill was drafted after consultations among the relevant ministries. There is a slight misunderstanding: it does not contain a clearly defined provision exempting workers from the 52-hour maximum workweek regulation. However, it reflects the government's consideration of how to formulate a Korean version of the white-collar exemption in legal provisions."
Political circles had expected the government bill to include a special provision allowing exceptions to the 52-hour maximum workweek regulation. However, analysts believe the provision was drafted as a compromise, taking into account opposition from labor groups and differences of opinion between the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Asked about the specific provisions on labor flexibility, Jang replied, "It would be inappropriate to discuss a specific provision at this point. We are still working to improve the bill, and doing so could cause confusion with the version we ultimately introduce. Therefore, it is difficult to give a clear answer here and now."
He added, "Once the introduction process begins and the bill is actually submitted, you will be able to examine every provision. We hope you will review it once the specific provisions are posted."
He also said the party plans to communicate directly with labor groups, taking into account the backlash that could arise if the special provisions for labor flexibility are included.
Meanwhile, the DPK said it plans to classify the Mega Special District Act as a bill under the jurisdiction of the National Policy Committee rather than the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee. The decision reflects the fact that the bill concerns the removal of various regulations. Some observers have interpreted the move as an attempt at "bypass legislation," arguing that the DPK is seeking to use the National Policy Committee, which it controls, out of concern that consideration of the bill could be delayed because the chair of the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee belongs to the People Power Party.
[email protected] Kim Hyung-gu Reporter