Jang Kyung-tae: "Is being frugal a crime... Kim Nam-guk actually wears torn sneakers"

Jang Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice saying, "Is being frugal a crime?" in response to criticism over Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, who was embroiled in controversy over a "6 billion won coin," showing "torn sneakers" and asking for donations.

On the 8th, Jang appeared on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" and responded to criticism from People Power Party lawmaker Heo Eun-ah by saying, "Kim really wears torn sneakers and actually lives like that."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmaker Heo criticized, saying, "Before coming to the National Assembly, he said he ate ramen every day, showed his holey sneakers, said he couldn't go to motels because he had no money, and even asked for donations. Isn't that embarrassing?" In response, Jang said, "I've never heard such logic before. Having possessions is not a crime, so is living frugally a crime?"

He added, "I also eat together with him at the National Assembly cafeteria often. I didn't know Kim had such coins, but coins are not officially recognized assets right now, are they? Therefore, aren't they excluded from the property declaration requirements for high-ranking public officials, including our lawmakers?"

Jang said, "Although there are reports that the coin is worth 6 billion won, this needs to be verified," adding, "The coin market is extremely volatile, with huge rises and falls, so there are people suffering losses and pain now. Just because Kim Nam-guk personally owns coins, does that mean it's a problem? I wonder if other lawmakers don't have them."

In response, Heo said, "The problem is not living frugally but putting on a show while taking money from others' pockets. I question whether it was necessary to go that far; it's a matter of conscience, and I say there is no shame," to which Jang retorted, "Is living frugally a sign of lacking conscience?"

Heo also criticized concerns about a conflict of interest, saying, "Kim is a lawmaker with legislative power. The biggest issue is that he proposed a bill to defer income tax that applies to himself."