(Unofficial Translation)

We mark the 130th International Workers’ Day.

Most of the victims at an Icheon construction site fire were day laborers. Those who were laying electrical wiring, painting, installing equipment and pouring concrete suffered utterly unexpected harm while putting the final touches on the construction of a warehouse. On the occasion of Labor Day, I express my respect for the toil of all workers in our land, while once again solemnly praying for the souls of the departed in that tragic accident. Also truly lamentable was the passing of an ethnic Korean worker from abroad, who was fostering his dream in the land of his ancestors. My heart goes out to the relatives of all the victims.

Just like the green foliage that grows lush this time of year, farmers sow their seeds in season. Just as trees grow with the passage of years, workers become skilled in their trades with routine practice. The power of labor lies in continuity engendered by sincerity. Daily life has been made difficult from the COVID-19 outbreak, yet it has been maintained by the sincerity of daycare and social service providers as well as by the delivery and transportation workers who start their day on the streets from early dawn. Korea’s COVID-19 response is now seen globally as exemplary. Its power, too, is attributable to the labor of those dedicated workers who have helped manage the related prevention and control and provide medical treatment, along with our excellent infectious disease prevention and control and healthcare systems.

Carpenters must trim wood squarely, and tailors must cut cloth to match measurements closely. The power of labor lies in a balance that is not lopsided. The destiny of workers is to strike a life balance through solidarity and cooperation in the face of superior forces. The continued endeavors of workers have helped to increase minimum wages, shift non-regular workers to regular employment and implement the 52-hour workweek. All the while, our society has been overcoming polarization.

Everyone can prosper together only when our society becomes one that respects labor. While suffering the COVID-19 outbreak, we have come to look back on how precious the value of “mutual benefit” is and contemplate again the importance of labor that creates and shares new values. Workers are now the mainstream of our society, and they must become the pivot of solidarity and cooperation in their capacity as the mainstream for the benefit of all people’s lives. The Government will also put every ounce of its energy into protecting jobs together with workers and businesses. We will ensure that our economy will regain vitality through efforts for mutual benefit and continue to inspire hope. 

Industrial accidents arise while workers are laboring sincerely. They are heartbreaking and carry the social significance that is no less profound than any other sacrifice. More than anything else, we will do our best to create safer workplaces by reducing industrial accidents. On Labor Day morning, I think of all those workers who have become accident victims while toiling away for a better world. I cheer on all the people who are faithfully doing their part at their respective worksites even now, enabling the world to move.