Ahn Cheol-soo: "Opposition's '250,000 Won Payment' Is Populism... Should Not Follow"

This Week, Representative Lee Jae-myung and President Yoon's Meeting
Possibility of Raising the Issue of Livelihood Recovery Support Fund

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo said, "It is irresponsible for the ruling party to meekly follow the opposition's populist pledge of '250,000 won cash payment to all citizens' after their landslide victory in the general election."

On the 21st, Ahn stated on his Facebook, "The opposition's primary dialogue partners are the ruling party and the government, but the ruling party's primary dialogue partner should be the people."

This statement came as Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is expected to bring up the issue of a 250,000 won per person livelihood recovery support fund for all citizens during his meeting with President Yoon Seok-youl this week, and the government and ruling party expressed that they should not accept this demand.

He emphasized, "Even if the budget is spent, it is necessary to thoroughly explain to the people and seek their understanding that, as long as the short-term policy goal of price stabilization is not compromised, support should be focused on the vulnerable groups rather than distributing the same amount to the wealthy."

On the 16th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, responded to reporters' questions after attending the People Power Party and People’s Future elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly.
[Photo by Kim Hyun-min]

Ahn said, "Communication with the opposition is necessary," but added, "However, for the government to show genuine reflection on the general election defeat and willingness to change national governance, communication that meets the people's expectations must be prioritized."

He continued, "The people's sentiment was, 'Do not try to judge others, but first reflect on your own indifference and incompetence.' The cause of the general election defeat must be found here," and pointed out, "The government should look back on whether it properly communicated with the people first during the process of managing prices, livelihood, and the economy, and pushing forward structural reforms."