Na Kyung-won Criticizes Lee Nak-yeon for 'Lee Kun-hee Eulogy,' Saying He Is Not Fit as Ruling Party Leader

Former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Na Kyung-won is leaving after paying her respects on the afternoon of the 26th at the funeral hall of Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee's wake was held. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Na Kyung-won expressed on her Facebook on the 26th her views on the ruling and opposition parties' stance regarding the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee. She said, "I feel saddened by the narrow-mindedness of the ruling party, which immediately resorted to criticism as soon as the deceased passed away," and criticized, "Lee Nak-yeon, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who served as governor and prime minister, did not act like the head of the ruling party."

Na also stated, "With the news of the deceased's passing, discussions about inheritance tax have begun," and questioned, "I wonder if the political circles, which hastily issued threats like 'pay the inheritance tax properly' upon hearing the obituary, are truly approaching this issue seriously."

Earlier, on the 25th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook, "The deceased led change with innovative leadership at critical moments. As a result, Samsung rose to become a global company in home appliances, semiconductors, and mobile phones," but also mentioned, "It cannot be denied that he had negative impacts such as strengthening the chaebol-centered economic structure and not recognizing labor unions."

Democratic Party floor spokesperson Heo Young also said on the same day, "Chairman Lee was a key figure who led Samsung's global leap and laid the cornerstone for the growth of the Korean economy," but emphasized, "The negative legacies he left, such as work allocation for management succession, unfair internal transactions, collusion between politics and business, and no-labor-union management, are historical tasks our society must resolve."

The People Power Party focused on Chairman Lee's achievements and mourned him. On the same day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated in a position paper titled 'The Great Tree of the Korean Economy, Chairman Lee Kun-hee, Rest in Peace,' "The corporate history of Lee Kun-hee, who raised Samsung and Korea's status prominently on the world stage, will be remembered by future generations," and added, "We pray for the true rest of the deceased, who lived every moment to the fullest."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Korean New Deal Party-Government-Civil Workshop held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the 26th, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin emphasized regarding the inheritance tax issue of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, "There are many watching, so no more tricks or loopholes will be tolerated."

Park appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, saying, "The law must be fully observed," and regarding the estimated 10 trillion won inheritance tax for Vice Chairman Lee, he said, "The predecessor's wealth is a typical example of unearned income as perceived by our people," adding, "Inheritance tax or individual income tax is a social standard and political implication. During President Park Chung-hee's era, the inheritance tax rate exceeded 70%."

Park said, "The core of Samsung Group's management is who controls Samsung Electronics and to what extent," and added, "If I were Vice Chairman Lee, I would feel it's still a bit precarious and early because of the inheritance tax." He continued, "Due to various burdens, we need to watch how plans are made and carried out without affecting management rights."

He further added, "It is only natural that (Vice Chairman Lee) did not adopt a method of paying taxes that would cause him to lose control over Samsung Electronics and influence over the entire Samsung Group."