Late-night delivery is supported by both consumers and delivery drivers, but why is the door to innovation being blocked? - South Korean media

Late-night delivery has even become a political issue. Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, said at a press conference last week, "Late-night work is so harmful that the International Institute for Cancer Research has designated it as a carcinogen."
"If (late-night delivery) is a service that must be maintained, the discussion must continue about how to protect the workers who have to endure it," he said.
In response, the People's Power said through a spokesman, "If an anachronistic regulation banning late-night deliveries is promoted, we will mobilize all legal means to prevent it."
This is an innovative service that is absolutely necessary in terms of both consumer convenience and employment. It is desirable to find a compromise that maintains the service while strengthening workers' health rights.
Discussions on late-night delivery are taking place mainly through the "Home Delivery Social Dialogue Organization," which was launched in September under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Japan.
The union has called for limiting deliveries between midnight and 5 a.m., and instead having delivery workers who arrive at work at 5 a.m. take on early morning deliveries. The union also argues that late-night work is carcinogenic.
In response, delivery drivers directly employed by Coupang and those working on contract with the company unanimously raised their voices in opposition.
The Ping Association also expressed concern that "complete restrictions on late-night deliveries will cause inconvenience to consumers, harm to agricultural and fishery workers and small businesses, and lead to side effects such as a decrease in employment for people working in the logistics industry."
The opinion differs from that of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, saying, "In reality, there are workers who have to work to earn a living, and there are also consumers who absolutely need late-night deliveries."
Minister Kim and the delivery workers' union claim that late-night work is a carcinogen is an exaggeration.
The ARC classifies night work as a 2A group of "potentially cancer-causing" workers, which also includes those who eat lean beef and pork, beauticians, barbers, and those working in the oil refinery industry.
Similarly, night work should not be completely banned, but rather the number of hours worked per week or the number of consecutive days worked should be limited.
Late-night deliveries have already become deeply rooted in daily life. Consumers are also accepting late-night deliveries favorably, and delivery drivers are eager to work.
No bill that violates the law shall be passed.