Lee Jae-myung: "Instead of Dividing and Fighting Over Yunsim and Hansim, We Must Prioritize People's Livelihood"

"Yoon, Excessive Populism Policies... Must Maintain Election Neutrality"
"Many Things Can Be Done... Need a Table for Livelihood Pledges"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to "immediately stop election-populism and uphold the duty of election neutrality." He also criticized, "Instead of fighting over Yoonshim (President Yoon's intentions) and Hanshim (Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party's intentions), they should focus on people's livelihoods first."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd, Lee said, "As the general election approaches, the government and ruling party have been recklessly issuing election-friendly policies and populist policies aimed at gaining popularity."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "Since the government consists of national public officials, they have a duty of election neutrality," adding, "Usually, even policy announcements or government activities that are normally conducted are restrained during election periods." He further stated, "However, for some reason, this administration suddenly intensifies policy announcements by visiting swing regions during the election period," calling it "an act clearly prohibited by election laws that influences elections."

In addition to these legal issues, he pointed out problems with the content of government policies. Referring to the easing of capital gains tax on stocks and the abolition of financial investment income tax, he criticized, "There is a continuation of ultra-rich tax cuts."

Lee said, "Each of these is an irresponsible decision that undermines the fiscal foundation," and claimed, "The government and ruling party are engaging in actions that completely contradict the alleviation of polarization, the most chronic problem of inequality in our society, effectively ruining the country." In particular, he warned, "If this continues, the national finances will be ruined," and urged, "Face the criticism that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration itself is the source of Korea risk."

Lee also presented results showing that there are more than 120 common pledges between the ruling and opposition parties by standing committees, saying, "There are so many things that can be done immediately if we put our heads together, such as applying nursing care expenses to health insurance, which the ruling party also responded to in the Democratic Party's proposal." He then proposed, "Before the general election, let's create a table to prioritize the implementation of common pledges and livelihood pledges between the ruling and opposition parties," but reiterated his criticism by saying, "I am truly sorry to the government and ruling party, but this is pathetic."