Lee Jae-myung, in a dialogue with Park Yong-man, says "'Anti-business' frame is regrettable... Pro-labor is pro-business"

Interview with Park Yong-man, Former Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Lee Jae-myung: "Pro-labor is Pro-business, Pro-economy"

Candidate Lee Jae-myung is having a conversation on the 14th at the office of the foundation "Walking Together," where former Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Park Yong-man serves as the chairman.

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, said on the 23rd, "Does being pro-labor mean being anti-business? Being pro-labor is also pro-business and pro-economy. It is unfortunate that Lee Jae-myung is framed and attacked as 'anti-business.'"

On the same day, in the second part of a dialogue with Park Yong-man, former chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, released on the YouTube channel 'Lee Jae-myung TV,' Lee said, "I come from a background as a child laborer, then became a human rights lawyer, a civic activist, and a basic local government head of the opposition party, during which I had severe conflicts with the ruling power at the time. That seems to have given me a strong left-wing image."

He stated, "The best economic system created by humanity is capitalism." Lee added, "Without businesses, there is no market or economy," and responded, "It seems that the sentiment is not anti-business but rather anti-businessperson. It appears to reflect resentment toward the behavior of businesspeople."

When asked about the relationship between government and market, he emphasized, "There is no government that can beat the market, nor can there be a market that opposes government policy. When market failure is anticipated, the government must intervene to ensure competition and efficiency are realized. We must proceed in a way that maximizes market efficiency."

Lee said, "The problem lies in the entrenchment of vested interests centered on large corporations. Especially, various illegal methods or unfair internal transactions arising during inheritance processes, and the power imbalance between small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations have hindered dynamism." He added, "I do not think this is the fault of large corporations. Politics and administration, which create and regulate their competitive environment, have failed to fulfill their responsibilities."

Regarding Park's view that the share of the service industry should be increased as a response to low growth, Lee said, "Advancing the service industry is something we must pursue," and added, "It should be limited to necessary areas that enhance market creativity, innovation, and efficiency, and regulations for administrative convenience should be minimized."