Lee Jae-myung's Remarks on 'Total Permit Quota System for Restaurants'... Yoon Seok-yeol Calls It "Totalitarian Idea"

Lee Jae-myung "Considering Total Permit Quota System for Restaurants"
As Controversy Grows, "Not Implementing Immediately... Need to Deliberate"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is delivering a public appeal for support at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, raised his voice in criticism on the 28th against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate's remark on the 'restaurant permit quota system,' calling it a "totalitarian idea."

On the same day, Yoon posted on his Facebook under the title "Restaurant Permit Quota System? A Totalitarian Idea," questioning, "Is the state trying to 'design' the lives of individual citizens?"

He said, "Candidate Lee emphasized 'benevolent regulation' by a 'benevolent state,' but if this idea is accepted, the permit quota system will expand not only to restaurants but to the entire self-employed sector," adding, "Furthermore, it could extend to the entire national industry. Ultimately, it could lead to the conclusion that the state controls the entire industry."

He continued, "The Moon Jae-in administration and the 586 ruling forces always emphasize the 'good intentions' behind their policies. They do not acknowledge that good intentions do not always lead to good outcomes," sharply criticizing, "There are countless cases where policies such as the forced conversion of irregular workers to regular workers, excessive minimum wage increases, and income-led growth have betrayed their good intentions."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Sinwon Market in Gwanak-gu, Seoul on the 27th and purchased persimmons at a fruit store.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 27th, Candidate Lee said at a meeting with small business owners and self-employed people nationwide held at Sinwon Market in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, "Many restaurants open and fail, like an ant hell. I am considering operating a restaurant permit quota system."

He mentioned, "It was said that it infringes on autonomy, so it was not done, but the quota system is not necessarily bad. Opening too many restaurants and failing is not freedom. Good regulation is necessary," adding, "Philosophical debate is needed, but I think it is somewhat necessary."

In response, former Prosecutor General Yoon emphasized, "Candidate Lee's dangerous economic view will push our already struggling economy into a swamp of stronger interference and control, ultimately ruining our economy," and stressed, "In a free market economy system, the government should support individuals and companies to freely engage in economic activities based on autonomy and creativity."

He further pointed out, "The government should not interfere or control what to produce, how much to produce, whether to open a restaurant, or whether to start a company. No matter how good the intention, the state should not try to design individuals' lives," adding, "That inevitably leads to infringement and oppression of human freedom."

Finally, he concluded his post by saying, "We should trust our great people who are number one in the world in many fields if the government and politics leave them alone."

Meanwhile, as controversy arose over the 'restaurant permit quota system' remark, Candidate Lee said, "It does not mean immediate implementation, but I think it is worth considering."

After visiting '2021 RoboWorld,' a robot industry specialized exhibition held at KINTEX in Ilsan that day, Candidate Lee told reporters, "It did not mean that it would be introduced as a national policy, publicized, pledged, and implemented."