Lee Jae-myung "I Saw Yoon Seok-yeol's X-File... The Longer the Delay, the Greater the Suspicion"

[Asia Economy (Seoul) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, advised that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the subject of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol X-file,' should personally come forward to clarify and explain the matter.

Regarding the postponement of the presidential candidate primary schedule within the Democratic Party of Korea, he stated that while he could generously accept the delay, he is concerned that the public’s harsh view of the Democratic Party’s lack of principles might lead to losing more than gaining.

Furthermore, on the issue of disaster relief payments, he reaffirmed his previous stance that all citizens affected by COVID-19 should receive disaster relief funds, noting that South Korea is currently experiencing a "selective payment is justice, right, and universal payment is wrong" selective payment obsession.

On the 22nd, after attending the National Assembly forum on 'Improvement of Systems Related to Dog Meat Consumption and Companion Animal Trade' held at the Yeouido Irum Center in Seoul, Lee met with reporters and was asked, "What are your thoughts on the commotion caused by the former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol’s X-file?" He replied, "I have seen a summary, and from the perspective of someone who entered the political world a bit earlier and has had similar experiences, I would advise that no suspicion or doubt can be avoided."

He continued, "The longer time drags on, the more suspicions and interest intensify, and even if the facts differ, more than half believe, 'Oh, this might be true.' Therefore, politicians must answer all suspicions and questions as if they are naked."

He added, "From my experience, it is best to acknowledge all the facts, apologize for mistakes, and point out unfairness to confront the issue head-on. Avoiding or ignoring it will neither make it go away nor lessen the damage."

Regarding the Democratic Party’s primary postponement, Lee said, "I can accept the postponement. However, I am worried about the public’s harsh view of the Democratic Party’s lack of principles. This is likely to lead to losing more than gaining, which is why I have opposed the postponement."

On the government’s plan to use excess tax revenue for disaster relief payments, he diagnosed the current situation, saying, "South Korea can be described as having a selective payment obsession, where selective payment is seen as just and right, and universal payment is seen as wrong."

He questioned, "Are there any among our citizens who have not been affected by COVID-19? People struggled to buy masks and were inconvenienced by movement restrictions, so why should they be excluded from support?"

He particularly pointed out, "High-income earners already pay more taxes and contribute more when creating national resources, thus receiving reasonable differentiation in the first place. I don’t understand why they should be excluded when national policies are implemented with the taxes they paid. Excluding high-income earners is double discrimination."

Furthermore, he argued, "This disaster relief policy is a national policy to revive the economy, increase sales for small business owners to prevent sales polarization, and boost demand to activate the economy. Excluding high-income earners, who can generate sales, from eligibility for local currency is incomprehensible."

He also expressed concern, "If support is given only up to 70%, then someone earning 70.01%, just 10 won more, is excluded, causing income reversal. How will that discrimination be handled? Also, dividing the 70% will take time and cost, leading to various national wastes."

He added, "When child allowances were paid before, there was a debate over whether to give to all or only some, and eventually only 90% were paid. The cost of excluding 10% was almost the same as the cost of paying 10%, which is something we should reflect on."

Lee also emphasized, "In times of national crisis or disaster, a sense of community and solidarity to overcome the crisis together is important. Support through excess taxes for all citizens who suffered from COVID-19 should be given equally as local currency per individual, not per household, to restore the community, revive the economy, and achieve the goal of supporting self-employed people."

Regarding the division of the Democratic Party into Lee Jae-myung faction and anti-Lee Jae-myung faction by some media, Lee responded, "Members of the National Assembly are all independent constitutional institutions, and each may have their own position depending on the issue or situation. Claiming to side only with one faction based on my belief, philosophy, or public opinion is old-fashioned politics," denying the existence of a Lee Jae-myung faction in the National Assembly.