[Comprehensive] "Betrayal by Moon Administration"... Lee Jae-myung Criticizes 'Selective Payment', What Did He Gain?

Lee Jae-myung Advocates for Nationwide 2nd Disaster Relief Payment
Interpretations Highlighting 'Policy Distinction' with Lee Nak-yeon Choosing 'Selective Payment'
"Resentment and Betrayal Toward Moon Administration Spreading Like Wildfire," Harsh Criticism
After Deciding on Nationwide Payment... "It Was Sincere Concern. Don't Exploit It for Division"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I clearly see the flames of conflict and confusion caused by division, feelings of alienation due to exclusion, and resentment and betrayal toward the Moon Jae-in administration, the Democratic Party of Korea, and even the nation and community spreading before my eyes."

This is part of a post by Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on his Facebook on the morning of the 6th, lamenting the effective collapse of the nationwide distribution of the 'second disaster relief fund.' This passionate post has sparked divided opinions not only in political circles but also among citizens.

Some speculate that it might be a political move aimed at highlighting differentiation related to the next presidential election, targeting Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, among citizens, there are positive views on Lee’s actions regarding the disaster relief fund, as some express opinions like "How can poverty be selectively determined?" Lee stated, "I will sincerely abide by the final decision of the government and ruling party," adding, "(My conviction regarding the disaster relief fund payment) was a heartfelt duty as a public official."

Notice Regarding the First Disaster Relief Fund Payment in May [Image Source=Yonhap News]

◆ Lee Jae-myung: "I am deeply afraid of the backlash caused by forced discrimination"

On the morning of the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook under the title "I am sorry," saying this and pointing out, "I also feel that the entrenched forces and malicious conservative media are smiling behind the curtain, aiming for a comeback (권토중래, meaning to rebuild strength after failure and try again)."

Lee also referred to the phrase '불환빈 환불균' (不患貧 患不均), meaning "The people are angry not at poverty but at injustice."

He said, "Mencius from China 2,400 years ago and Dasan from the Joseon Dynasty 250 years ago taught that 'the people are more angry at injustice than poverty, so politics should worry more about injustice than poverty.' Moreover, in a democratic republic where the people are the owners, I am deeply afraid of the backlash that forced discrimination by representatives during a difficult and uncertain crisis will bring."

He continued, "Even if selective support becomes inevitable, I earnestly hope that meticulous and clear standards with strict screening will minimize dissatisfaction, conflict, and damage to solidarity."

Lee also shared, "I saw a post about a young husband who was struggling so much that he sold his wedding ring with his wife, came back, turned his body the other way, and embraced his wife’s shoulder as she cried endlessly through the night. However, people like this young couple, whose circumstances suddenly worsened, are unlikely to be eligible for this support."

He added, "Though it may be meaningless to that young couple now, I want to tell them, 'Still, the sun will rise again tomorrow.' I also can’t sleep. I am sorry." Lee has advocated for 'nationwide distribution' since the first disaster relief fund payment in May.

Last May, Myeongdong Street in Seoul. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection and other factors, the crowd has disappeared, and the street appears deserted. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "How can poverty be divided?" vs. "Help vulnerable groups first" ? Citizens’ opinions divided

Citizens’ evaluations of Lee’s call for disaster relief funds to be given to all citizens are divided. Lee Mo, a man in his 40s living in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I agree with Governor Lee’s opinion," and lamented, "How can we divide the criteria for who is poor?" He added, "If someone did not qualify for the relief fund at the time of the criteria but the situation changes, can they receive it then?"

Another office worker in his 30s, Park Mo, said, "If the funds are selectively distributed, those who do not receive them may feel a kind of deprivation," and raised his voice, "As the name disaster relief fund suggests, I hope there is no selection in the face of disaster."

On the other hand, some believe that prioritizing vulnerable groups for disaster relief funds is appropriate. A 30-something office worker named A, working in Seoul, said, "There are groups that need the disaster relief fund more," and added, "Although there are fairness controversies, I think it is fair to provide a little more support to them."

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (left) Lee Nak-yeon, Leader of the Democratic Party (right)

◆ Criticism of Deputy Prime Minister Hong while advocating nationwide disaster relief fund... Possible criticism of Lee Nak-yeon’s 'selective distribution'

There is also a view that Lee’s conviction for nationwide disaster relief fund distribution has a political motive to highlight differentiation from Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party. On the 1st, Lee posted on his Facebook a post titled "Five questions to Deputy Prime Minister Hong," expressing critical opinions about the government's second emergency disaster relief fund.

Lee argued for △ the need to expand consumption due to COVID-19, △ increased fiscal spending in advanced countries, △ the point that all citizens should enjoy the benefits of economic policies, △ the fact that both selective and universal distribution can have the same total amount, and △ that supporting small business sales through time-limited local currency can benefit economic recovery. Summarizing Lee’s argument, universal support is more reasonable than selective support.

At the end of the post, Lee directly mentioned Deputy Prime Minister Hong, saying, "I believe it is the duty of a representative in a democratic republic to follow the reasonable will of the people, moving away from the arrogance of experts who think they know everything or the authority that decides everything."

Judging from Lee’s post alone, it appears to be a difference of opinion between the government and local governments, but the same argument can be applied to Lee Nak-yeon, who has settled on selective distribution. It can be seen as a kind of indirect criticism toward Lee Nak-yeon.

As a result, Lee achieved a contrasting effect with Lee Nak-yeon over the second disaster relief fund, whether it should be selective or nationwide distribution. It can be interpreted that he has laid the groundwork to advocate a so-called 'Lee Jae-myung welfare policy' that clearly differentiates himself from Lee Nak-yeon in the upcoming presidential election phase regarding economic and welfare policies.

Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "My unwavering sincerity" Wishing success for the Moon administration and the Democratic Party

Meanwhile, Lee, who showed differences with the government and party over the method of distributing the second disaster relief fund, stated that he would abide by the party’s conclusion of selective distribution. This can be seen as expressing a different voice on welfare policy for the time being but ultimately following the party line, thus avoiding internal party conflict.

On the 6th, Lee posted on his Facebook, "At the high-level party-government meeting held a little while ago, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated, 'We will prepare customized support measures focusing on groups severely affected such as vulnerable employment groups, small business owners, and low-income groups.' I, too, as a member of the government and a party member, will sincerely abide by the final decision of the government and ruling party."

Lee said, "There have been many discussions so far, but I will sincerely abide by the final decision. This is my unwavering sincerity." He added, "Furthermore, I will lead the execution on the front lines so that national support measures can quickly reach the people. Conservative media should no longer exploit my views for 'shallow division'."

He also said, "Please do not distort my sincerity and duty. The media should now represent the lives of the weary people, not political strife. I earnestly hope that a wise plan will be drawn up so that all citizens can overcome this crisis together, and I will do my best in the role given for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party."