Kim Du-kwan to Lee Jae-myung: "Only Gyeonggi-do Providing 100% Disaster Relief? Could Lead to Regional Discrimination"

Democratic Party presidential candidate Kim Du-kwan is holding a press conference after announcing his mega-city vision, national balanced development, and regional development pledges at the Chungnam Provincial Office on July 30. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Kim Du-gwan, a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's statement that disaster relief funds could be provided to all Gyeonggi residents, saying, "It may be a good decision for Gyeonggi residents, but it can also be seen as discrimination from the perspective of residents in other regions."

On the 1st, Kim posted on his Facebook under the title "Fairness for the Rich and Discrimination Against the Poor," referring to Lee's visit to Daegu where he said, "Regarding the disaster relief funds decided to be paid to 88% or less, the remaining 12% will be paid only to Gyeonggi residents." Kim said, "I deeply felt the current state of the Seoul Republic that discriminates between the metropolitan area and local areas," adding, "I am convinced that I was right to present the dismantling of the Seoul Republic as a national vision to create a country where local areas also prosper."

He continued, "From the beginning, I advocated for nationwide payment," and expressed regret over the government's decision to selectively provide the 5th disaster relief fund to the bottom 88% income bracket, saying, "Everyone has suffered for a year and a half, so I cannot understand why the government divides the people by giving only 250,000 won."

Kim particularly pointed out, "In wealthy Gyeonggi Province, 100% receive the disaster relief funds, but in poorer local areas, only 88% receive them, which is worse than the government's selective payment," and said, "If not giving to all citizens is discrimination, then giving only to Gyeonggi and not to other regions is a serious division."

He added, "If a wealthy area like Gyeonggi discriminates against local residents in this way, people will concentrate even more in the metropolitan area," and "Then resources and welfare will also concentrate in the metropolitan area."

Kim also questioned, "Lee's remarks could raise controversy over the fairness of the primary election," asking, "Among the six candidates, is it 'fair competition' for the only incumbent governor to use executive power to distribute money?"

Furthermore, regarding Lee's mention of 'strengthening the strong and aiding the weak,' Kim emphasized that "it should be the opposite of further strengthening the strong and wealthy metropolitan area," and urged, "The party's election commission should promptly establish measures against such unfairness in the primary election."