Migrant rights activists welcome president's pick for new labor minister

Migrant rights activists expressed cautious optimism following President Lee Jae Myung’s nomination of Kim Young-hoon as the next labor minister. Kim, a former train operator and head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions from 2010 to 2012, would be the first former leader of the influential labor organization to hold the post. Advocates for foreign workers told The Korea Times on Wednesday that Kim’s tenure as KCTU chairman reflects a strong commitment to the rights of all workers — citizens and noncitizens alike — a stance they hope he will uphold as a Cabinet member. “As chairman of the KCTU, Kim tried to improve the rights of migrant workers by joining rallies and other activities promoting their rights,” said a leading activist for migrant workers here. “Even after leaving that position, he continued to champion these causes politically as a member of the Justice Party.” When Seoul Immigration Office issued a deportation order for Michelle Katwir, former chief of the Migrants’ Trade Union, in 2011, the KCTU under Kim strongly denounced the decision. A week laWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times