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Kim Byung-ki (third from left), acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on July 11. / Source: Yonhap News

Kim Byung-ki, acting chair and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DP), stressed the need to guarantee rest periods during extreme heat, rejecting claims that proposed workplace measures amount to excessive regulation.

Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on July 11, Kim said, “We are facing a disastrous heatwave. Cases of heat-related illness are surging, and damage is mounting in livestock and fisheries industries. When it comes to protecting the lives and property of the people, it is better to err on the side of doing too much than too little. We urge the government to respond thoroughly.”

He added that the DP will maintain constant communication with the government and work through relevant parliamentary committees to support an effective response. Addressing a proposed rule that mandates a 20-minute break for every two hours of labor in environments exceeding 33°C (91.4°F), Kim said, “This is not excessive regulation on businesses.”

“The Regulatory Reform Committee must wake up and reconsider its position,” he said, adding that the party would introduce legislation to firmly establish rest-time standards. “We will prepare concrete measures at the party level to ensure workers’ rights to rest during extreme heat.”