Yoo Seungmin Criticizes President and Lee Jaemyung for Low-Level Politics That Mock and Insult the People

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seungmin criticized President Moon Jaein and Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jaemyung on the 21st, saying, "It is clear that President Moon and Governor Lee are treating and insulting the people as 'voters who give votes if money is spread'." Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy, Reporter Na Hana] On February 21, former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seungmin criticized President Moon Jaein and Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jaemyung, stating, "Is it not President Moon and Governor Lee who are engaging in this low-level politics that mocks and insults our great people?"

The previous day, Governor Lee had criticized Yoo, claiming that Yoo insulted the people by calling them "primitive voters who give votes if money is spread." In response, Yoo countered, "I have never heard the term 'primitive voter' before, so I don't know what it means, but let's make it clear who is truly insulting the people. If there is a politician who thinks of the people as 'voters who give votes if money is spread,' that politician is certainly insulting the people."

Yoo pointed out, "When you look at the words and actions of President Moon and Governor Lee, it is clear that they are the ones treating and insulting the people as 'voters who give votes if money is spread.'"

He continued, "Governor Lee has already distributed 100,000 won each to all Gyeonggi residents twice. The reason they made such decisions is that they see the people as 'voters who give votes if money is spread' and are engaging in vote-buying."

He added, "Before the election, they provided universal payments to all citizens, but after the election, they switched to selective payments for affected groups. Now, as the election approaches again, they are returning to universal payments. Isn't this repeated behavior, which amounts to 'giving with one hand and taking with the other,' clear evidence of mocking and insulting the people?"

Yoo emphasized, "I have never thought of the people as 'voters who give votes if money is spread.' That is why I have consistently opposed universal payments to all citizens from before the last general election until now."

He also stated, "I fully support the necessary fiscal expansion to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. The key issue in the current debate is whether we should use two or three times more of the same budget to help those who truly need government assistance, or whether we should simply divide it equally among everyone."

Finally, Yoo stressed, "If we fall into malignant populism and distribute money to everyone, we must recognize that those who have suffered the most and are desperately waiting for government support due to COVID-19 are being neglected and left behind."

Previously, on February 20, Governor Lee criticized Yoo, saying, "By agitating that disaster relief payments are 'vote-buying,' Yoo has insulted our advanced, community-minded people by portraying them as 'primitive voters who give votes if money is spread.'"

Governor Lee also stated, "With people's livelihoods and the economy on the brink due to COVID-19, now is the time for an active and unprecedented expansionary fiscal policy to support household income, boost consumption and economic activity, maintain employment, and expand the social safety net."

He continued, "Now is the time to unlock the gates, not tighten the reins. It is regrettable to see the conservative opposition party still stuck in old habits, seeking only to gain by holding others back rather than engaging in fair competition for the national interest and public welfare."