Chu Kyung-ho Floor Leader "Will Criticize Government if Policies Are Premature"
On the 20th, the People Power Party urged the government to consult with the party when drafting various livelihood policies, saying, "We must ensure that such cases do not happen again," regarding the government's ban on overseas direct purchases of products without the national certification integrated mark (KC), which was withdrawn after controversy.
Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at an emergency meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "We agree with the government's intention to strengthen inspections to block harm to the human body from products used by children, electrical household goods, and household chemical products."
Choo said, "There was confusion over the government's announcement on the 16th that overseas direct purchases would be restricted for 80 items without the KC certification mark. Eventually, the government explained the day before that only products confirmed to be harmful through safety investigations would be restricted retrospectively," adding, "Although belated, I consider this fortunate."
Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Measures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
In particular, Choo criticized, "As seen in this case of overseas direct purchase regulation announcement, while the purpose of major policies is important, if the policy announcement is not meticulously planned and the impact on the public and public opinion are not carefully and sufficiently considered, it fails to gain public consensus, which increases confusion and distrust in the policy. The government must keep this in mind and ensure such cases do not recur."
He also urged, "Going forward, government ministries must consult sufficiently with the party in advance when drafting various livelihood policies, especially major policies that significantly affect the daily lives of the people," warning, "If immature policies are announced without party-government consultation, causing public concern and confusion, the party will not hesitate to strongly criticize the government."
This policy was first announced on the 16th at the National Affairs Ministers' Meeting on Strengthening Consumer Safety and Enhancing Corporate Competitiveness in Response to the Surge in Overseas Direct Purchases, chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The government mentioned in a press release that overseas direct purchase goods have had a price competitiveness advantage due to exemption from customs and value-added tax compared to domestic general manufacturers and importers, raising fairness issues.
However, according to the government's explanation, there were criticisms that domestic companies had been unfairly selling the same products at higher prices to domestic consumers, and as items popular among the older generation such as golf clubs, whiskey, and fishing rods were excluded from the target, public criticism intensified. Prominent potential party leadership candidates such as former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also pointed out that this policy should be withdrawn.
In response, the government held an additional briefing on overseas direct purchase measures the day before and announced a stance effectively withdrawing the policy, saying, "(A complete ban on direct purchases) is not physically or legally feasible."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
