The ruling party led the way in passing the ”yellow envelope law” in a subcommittee... A bill vetoed by former President Yoon. (South Korea)

The amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, known in South Korea as the "Yellow Envelope Law," were passed by the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee's Bill Subcommittee on the 28th under the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the Progressive Party.
The bill was ultimately scrapped last year after former President Yoon Seok-yeol exercised his veto (right to request a reconsideration), so attention will be focused on future deliberations in the National Assembly and the president's response.
During the subcommittee deliberations, the opposition People's Power Party left the room shortly after the discussion began, stating, "The social debate has not yet matured. We need more time." However, the ruling Democratic Party and
After further discussion, Progressive Party lawmakers unanimously passed the amendment. The amendment expands the scope of "employers" and broadens the scope of labor disputes, and also introduces measures against workers who participate in strikes.
Specifically, even if there is no direct labor contract relationship, if a company can substantially control and determine working conditions, it is considered an "employer" and cannot be a subcontractor.
It also broadens the scope of legitimate labor disputes by adding "business management decisions that affect working conditions."
Furthermore, regarding liability for damages caused by industrial action, the scope of liability will be determined according to the existence or non-existence of individual responsibility and the degree of contribution, making it possible for companies to claim damages from third parties.
The aim is to prevent workers from engaging in illegal strikes. However, the People's Power Party has strongly opposed this bill, arguing that such content could encourage illegal strikes.
On the same day, the Democratic Party of Korea held an informal meeting with government officials including Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon ahead of the bill subcommittee meeting.
Kim Ju-yeon, a Democratic Party secretary-general and member of the Environment and Labor Committee, said he would aim for the bill to be passed at the final plenary session of the July extraordinary National Assembly, scheduled for the 4th of next month.
After the subcommittee meeting was adjourned, Rep. Kim explained, "It is based on last year's bill and has not changed significantly, but there are some new sections that have been added to improve the completeness of the law and reduce confusion on the ground."
The section includes a Supreme Court ruling in June 2023 regarding claims for damages for industrial action, which was filed against union members of the Hyundai Motors non-regular workers branch of the National Metal Workers' Union.
This precedent indicates that when an employer seeks compensation liability from workers who have participated in illegal strikes, the employer should take into consideration the status and role of individual union members, and the extent of their participation in industrial action.
The Yellow Envelope Law was passed in the 21st National Assembly under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, which was the opposition party at the time, but was vetoed twice by former President Yoon.
and was ultimately scrapped.