Ruling Party Moves to Fast-Track Super-Regional Special Zone Act... Labor Exemptions and Wider Ruling Bloc Opposition Pose Major Hurdles

Oct. 28 tripartite talks and Oct. 29 government-party consultations... A key moment in reconciling labor exemptions
The two major labor unions and the Rebuilding Korea Party push back, while opinions within the party remain divided
Push to form a separate National Assembly special committee... Kim Minseok to visit Saemangeum on Oct. 29

The Democratic Party of Korea is moving to speed up passage of the Super-Regional Special Zone Act, also known as the Mega Special Zone Act, but still faces significant hurdles. Intra-party disagreements over labor exemptions have been compounded by opposition from labor groups and members of the broader ruling bloc, including the Rebuilding Korea Party. In addition, forming a separate special committee in the National Assembly will require negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties.

According to political circles on October 27, a working-level tripartite consultation among labor, management and the government will be held on October 28, followed by policy consultations between the government and Democratic Party lawmakers on the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee and the Ministry of Employment and Labor on October 29. Key issues include easing working-hour regulations and extending the period for which fixed-term workers may be employed.

The Democratic Party has introduced two separate bills: one sponsored by Assemblyman Park Sang-hyuk that includes labor exemptions, and another sponsored by Assemblyman Choi Ki-sang that excludes them. Park’s bill includes exceptions to working-hour regulations for high-income research and development personnel who meet certain requirements, an extension of the settlement period under the selective working-hour system, and an extension of the period for which fixed-term workers may be employed. Choi’s bill, by contrast, excludes these exemptions.

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a joint press conference on October 23, protesting the introduction of a bill that includes labor exemptions while social dialogue is underway and calling for its withdrawal. Opinions are also divided within the party, with Supreme Council member Kwon Mi-kyung, who has a labor movement background, expressing regret over how the bill is being pursued.

Criticism has also come from the Rebuilding Korea Party and civil society. Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute, said he agreed on the need to designate special zones but raised concerns about regulatory easing, including labor exemptions, and the legislative process. Civil society groups have voiced concerns not only about workers’ rights but also about broad regulatory easing in the environment and healthcare sectors.

The bill’s review process is another challenge. Kwon Chil-seung, the Democratic Party’s policy committee chair, said on October 26, following a meeting between the Mega Growth Special Committee and the government, that he would push to establish a separate National Assembly special committee to handle the Super-Regional Special Zone Act.

Meanwhile, party leader Kim Min-seok is scheduled to attend an on-site meeting of the Mega Growth Special Committee in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, on October 29. Amid debate over the approximately 320 regulatory exemptions proposed by the government, reconciling views on labor exemptions and forming a National Assembly special committee remain key challenges for the legislation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.