Choi Jae-hyung Repeatedly 'Targets Lee Jae-myung'... "Must Stop Meaningless Cash Handouts"

Former Auditor General Choi Jae-hyung (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the opposition, criticized Lee Jae-myung, the ruling party's presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, saying, "Stop giving irrelevant answers." He particularly pointed out Lee's basic income policy again, questioning, "How can 80,000 won per month provide any help to the people?"

On the 25th, Choi posted on Facebook, "The core of a good welfare system is not to distribute cash to all citizens indiscriminately, but for the government to provide timely assistance to those who find it difficult to be self-reliant through their own efforts," adding, "How can 80,000 won per month help our people break free from welfare and become self-reliant?"

Earlier, Choi had criticized Lee's basic income by saying, "It would be better to call it a nationwide dining-out allowance rather than basic income," to which Lee responded by calling it "old-fashioned politics."

Choi explained, "The phrase 'nationwide dining-out allowance,' which Lee angrily rejected, was meant to raise the question of whether paying 80,000 won per month to all citizens with an annual budget of 50 trillion won can realistically improve people's lives when considering costs and effectiveness," adding, "I pointed out whether such an expenditure is truly worthwhile, whether the 50 trillion won in taxes could be used more effectively, and whether the proposed introduction of a land ownership tax to fund this would ultimately confiscate citizens' property."

Choi continued, "Lee criticized me for not answering his questions and accused me of old-fashioned politics. One should not give irrelevant answers. Giving irrelevant answers is the real old-fashioned politics," and said, "I want to have a constructive debate on whether basic income is a genuine alternative to alleviate inequality and polarization and solve people's livelihood issues."

He also emphasized, "Under limited national finances, the welfare umbrella the state can provide is too small to cover everyone. There will continue to be people left out in the rain and shivering in the cold," adding, "The state's duty to its citizens is to tightly fill the welfare blind spots, such as the case of the three mothers, and ensure that necessary welfare reaches those in need. To do this, unconditional and meaningless cash handouts must be stopped."