Kim Dong-yeon "Welcome Lee's Meeting Proposal... Let's Discuss Urgent National Issues with Yoon"

"Discuss Major Reforms on Small Business Loss Compensation, Youth, Real Estate, and Power Structure"
"Adjust Lawmakers' Constituency Projects to Secure Supplementary Budget"

Presidential candidate Kim Dong-yeon. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Kim Dong-yeon, the presidential candidate of the New Wave party, expressed that he "welcomes" Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, giving a positive response to his proposal for a candidate meeting. He also mentioned that a one-on-one debate with Lee could be pursued.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 24th, Candidate Kim emphasized the need to create a forum to discuss this year's presidential election agenda. He stated, "Issues related to candidates' personal and family corruption should be disclosed by each candidate to the public for the people to judge, and we should discuss urgent national issues." He proposed key discussion topics including compensation for small business losses, youth issues, real estate, and constitutional amendments including a major reform of the power structure.

Regarding this proposal, Candidate Kim said, "Regardless of who becomes president, the elected candidate should strongly push forward, and the losing candidates should assist in those matters."

On the ruling and opposition parties moving toward expanding the government's supplementary budget size, Candidate Kim suggested a solution: "Let's restructure the projects in the constituencies of National Assembly members to secure funding."

He said, "The two candidates (Lee and Yoon) talked about a supplementary budget of up to 50 trillion won but did not discuss specific funding plans," adding, "Ultimately, it means issuing government bonds and borrowing." Candidate Kim stated, "Out of this year's 607 trillion won budget, about half is discretionary spending. Let's secure 10%, or 30 trillion won, by restructuring constituency projects of National Assembly members." He continued, "If that is insufficient, issue government bonds but reduce the increase in next year's budget by the same amount to repay it." He added, "This way, fiscal soundness is not harmed at all."

However, Candidate Kim explained, "The reason for making such a claim is to prepare for the increased suffering of small business owners and self-employed people due to the spread of Omicron," and "Since this crisis is not expected to end with this one time, we are trying to create ammunition to prepare for the future."