The nation’s top parliamentary official offered emotional support to Indonesian laborers in Korea on Thursday, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between Seoul and Jakarta.
National Assembly Speaker Rep. Chung Ui-hwa visited Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, where about 1,000 Indonesian laborers are employed. Chung said his visit was to keep a promise to Indonesian lawmaker Irman Gusman.
Gusman had asked Chung to visit Indonesian workers in Korea during Chung’s brief stay in the Southeast Asian country last December.
“I’m sure this means a lot to both countries. I’m also sure that other countries that have signed employment permit system agreements with South Korea will be a bit jealous,” said Cecep Herawan, Jakarta’s deputy ambassador to Seoul. Herawan accompanied Chung to Ansan.
The employment permit system offers contractual work opportunities to foreign workers in Korea. 15 countries are part of the labor agreement, including Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Chung has shown a strong interest in boosting relations with Southeast Asia since he began his term as the Assembly chief last May.
The five-term South Korean lawmaker considers ties to the growing region essential for Korea’s long-term economic and political future, Assembly spokesman Choi Hyung-du said.
Chung also met relatives of those killed in the Sewol disaster last April.
“The National Assembly is on your side,” Chung said to console the bereaved. Victims’ relatives remain discontent over the government’s rescue operations during the accident.
More than 300 were killed when the ferry Sewol sank in the West Sea. Most of the dead were from Danwon High School in Ansan.
By Jeong Hunny ()
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
