Former Statistics Chief Yu Gyeong-jun: "Moon Jae-in Diluting Issues with Strange Report"

"Record High Employment Rate? Job Inflation Effect"
"Using the Criteria They Denied as a Promotional Tool... Petty"

Regarding the allegations of 'statistical manipulation' during the Moon Jae-in administration, former President Moon shared a report from the Korea Labor and Society Institute stating that the employment rate during his tenure was the highest ever. In response, Yoo Kyung-joon, a member of the People Power Party and former head of the National Statistical Office, criticized, saying, "Former President Moon is once again bringing a strange report to divert attention."

On the 18th, Yoo said on his social media (SNS), "However, this (report) is nothing more than a copy-paste of manipulated statistics."

Yoo Kyung-joon, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He stated, "This is the report titled ‘Evaluation of Employment and Labor Policies of the Moon Jae-in Government’ published by the Korea Labor and Society Institute. The main points are: 1. The labor income share and employment rate increased significantly, and 2. Although the size of irregular workers increased, this is due to survey questions. In any case, the Moon administration’s 'Income-Led Growth (hereafter ILG)' and 'Zero Irregular Workers' policies were highly effective," adding, "Yet, despite ruining our economy, this shameless regime shows no sign of reflection."

He continued, "First, they are praising themselves by saying the 'labor income share' increased significantly, but the 'labor income share' used here is a Bank of Korea indicator criticized by Hong Jang-pyo, the architect of ILG, for 'not properly reflecting income distribution changes considering the characteristics of the self-employed sector.' It has already been pointed out that ILG, which started the Moon administration, began with a distorted definition and calculation of the labor income share different from the Bank of Korea’s official statistics, which is the root of all problems. Isn’t it too petty to use the Bank of Korea’s labor income share, which they previously denied, as a means of promotion just because it shows a high figure?"

Regarding irregular worker statistics, Yoo said, "Despite the Board of Audit and Inspection’s announcement, they again insist it is a survey question issue. It is pitiful whether they still do not know what the problem is or want to ignore it. The employment rate, which is said to have reached an all-time high during the Moon administration, was actually a mess. Although the figures look very good, this is merely an inflation effect of jobs due to the sharp rise in the minimum wage, increasing part-time jobs for youth and public finance jobs for the elderly."

He also criticized the 'Zero Irregular Workers in the Public Sector' policy, saying, "It was carried out based on standards against fairness and common sense, leaving deep wounds in the youth, which everyone knows." He added, "I ask former President Moon to stop showing ignorance about statistics now that statistical manipulation has been revealed, and at least show some reflection to the people."