Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won is answering questions from reporters after completing an interview for the nomination of the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Na Kyung-won, former People Power Party lawmaker who declared her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, criticized the government's announcement of cigarette price hikes on the 28th, calling it a "government with no tact and no decency."
On the same day, Na posted on her Facebook, "Raising cigarette and soju prices in this situation? Is now the time to announce this?" She continued, "Ordinary people are struggling to make a living due to COVID-19, and yet the government is raising cigarette and alcohol prices during this difficult time. This is truly a government with no tact and no decency," she criticized.
She added, "People are already complaining that prices of groceries are soaring to the sky, and even when they go shopping, there is hardly anything affordable to buy," and pointed out, "This is an extremely harsh piece of news for our people who have no place to find comfort in these difficult and challenging times."
Na said, "Health and hygiene are of course important. In the long term, price increases might be appropriate," but added, "However, I really question whether now is the time to discuss this. The news of cigarette and alcohol price hikes only increases the worries of the people."
She also said, "Moreover, didn't President Moon apologize six years ago for not being able to stop the cigarette price increase during the Park Geun-hye administration?" and criticized, "President Moon himself said that indirect taxes like cigarette prices should be lowered. Instead of giving hope to the people suffering from hardship, this government only gives them worries about spending money. This is just too much."
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the '5th National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan,' which includes health policy directions and tasks for the next 10 years, after the 2nd Social Relations Ministerial Meeting on the 27th. According to the plan, alcoholic beverages such as soju and beer will be subject to a 'health promotion surcharge' similar to cigarettes, and there is also a policy to raise cigarette prices, currently 4,500 won, to over 8,000 won, the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
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