Choi Jae-hyung on Gyeonggi-do 100% Disaster Relief Fund: "Power Abuse Vote-Buying Populism"

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the "Open Camp" set up in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman and People Power Party presidential candidate Choi Jae-hyung criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's statement that disaster relief funds could be provided to all Gyeonggi residents, saying, "He should stop abusing provincial government power for political vote-buying. The 100% disaster relief fund exclusive to Gyeonggi Province must be withdrawn."

On the morning of the 3rd, Choi posted on his Facebook under the title "Is Gyeonggi Province's 100% Disaster Relief Fund Privatization of Provincial Government Power?" stating, "Governor Lee Jae-myung has decided to provide disaster relief funds to all Gyeonggi residents, which has sparked controversy," and added, "I believe support should be focused on places where it is truly needed. I oppose 'cash handouts to all citizens.'"

He said, "It is also difficult to readily agree with the recently passed 'disaster relief fund provided only to 88% excluding the top 12%,' but as a member of a political party, I think we should respect the agreements made by the National Assembly and the government as much as possible."

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's policy of providing 100% disaster relief funds to all Gyeonggi residents on the morning of the 3rd. Photo by Former Chairman Choi's Facebook capture

Furthermore, Choi criticized Governor Lee's policy of the '100% disaster relief fund' in Gyeonggi Province, saying, "It is hard to understand both from the perspective of ignoring the agreement between the National Assembly and the government and from the perspective of regional equity."

He added, "Isn't Governor Lee someone who is aiming to become a national representative responsible for state affairs beyond being the head of a specific local government?" and accused him of "completely ignoring" the positions of the government, ruling party, and National Assembly.

Additionally, Choi stated, "I do not think Governor Lee was unaware of these circumstances and concerns," and criticized Lee's policy of providing 100% disaster relief funds to Gyeonggi residents as "vote-buying populism and a strategic use of the authority entrusted by Gyeonggi residents for his own political purposes."