[Yongsan Report] Unexpected 'Daepa Controversy' Causes Staff to Sweat

Ruling Party Actively Explains Opposition's 'Green Onion Attack'
Explains Recent Price Trends and Context of President's Remarks

"In a situation where the government is implementing various agricultural product price policies, it seems that efforts are being undervalued as the green onion controversy is highlighted."

A senior aide at the Presidential Office expressed this on the 29th regarding the green onion controversy spreading mainly in the opposition parties. It has been over ten days since the green onion controversy occurred during President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch on the 18th. However, the controversy still persists in the official election campaign, causing the Presidential Office aides to break a sweat.

Another senior ruling party official expressed regret that if the full context of President Yoon's remarks at the time had been conveyed, the impact would not have been so significant. The official said, "Before President Yoon's remark that '875 won for green onions is reasonable,' Hanaro Mart explained that the 875 won price was achieved by applying government supply price support, Nonghyup's own discounted price, and agricultural product discount support from the normal price, and I understand President Yoon agreed with this." He added, "If the overall details (recent years' price trends, Hanaro Mart's special circumstances, the situation at the time of President Yoon's remarks) had been smoothly communicated, the potential for controversy could have been reduced." In fact, the retail price of green onions per 1 kg in March 2021 was 6,981 won, nearly double this month's 3,539 won.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the broad opposition, including the Democratic Party and the People's Justice Party, continuously criticize President Yoon saying he 'does not care about people's livelihood' and 'will fail because of green onions,' Lee Soo-jung, the People Power Party candidate for Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province, poured fuel on the fire by stating on the 25th that 'one green onion root costs 875 won.' As the issue escalated, the candidate posted an apology on her social media (SNS) that day.

The ruling coalition is sweating to manage the situation. On the 26th, the Presidential Office actively explained on its homepage that price increases in vegetables, fruits, and livestock products are largely due to external factors, and reminded that prices rose even more during the Moon Jae-in administration while implementing various price policies. On the 25th, Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, visited the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Seongnam branch to inspect prices. Han Dong-hoon, Chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Committee, also held a kickoff rally at Garak Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, at midnight on the first day of the official election campaign. On the 29th, the second day, he plans to visit Yeongjin Market intersection in Yeongdeungpo, Seongdae Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and Bugok Market in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province consecutively.