Lee Jae-myung "Will Be a Small Bowl for the Common People"... Kim Geun-sik "A Bigger Bowl Is Better"

Geun-sik Kim, Chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong Party Committee of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Geunsik, the head of the People Power Party's Songpabyung district committee in Seoul, criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung on the 19th, saying, "Instead of dividing the weak and the vested interests, a 'large bowl' that serves the 'entire nation' is better."

Earlier, Governor Lee had said regarding the local currency debate, "I would choose a small bowl for the majority of ordinary people rather than a large bowl for a few vested interests."

On the same day, Kim posted on his Facebook, "It would be better to be a 'large bowl' rather than a 'small bowl' just for the weak," and criticized Governor Lee by saying, "This is why the vessel is small."

Kim further pointed out, "All citizens are well aware of Governor Lee's stance on local currency, and they understand why he is so angry at the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF) and calls it a deep-rooted evil," adding, "Repeating the same story itself shows a small vessel. How many times has he attacked KIPF already? Is he so angry that he can't stand it?"

He said, "'A person who does not express public anger against corruption and deep-rooted evils is not a politician but a swindler,' as you said today, which is a correct statement," and questioned, "Then why do you not show public anger toward Yoon Mi-hyang's corruption, Lee Sang-jik's vested interest evils, and Minister Chu's son's special favors? Governor, are you a swindler?"

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Governor Lee strongly criticized the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF), which published a report stating that "local currency is ineffective in revitalizing the economy," calling it a "deep-rooted evil to be eliminated" and a "foolish national research institute."

In addition, Governor Lee has actively rebutted opinions criticizing his claim that "issuing local currency can revitalize the local economy."