Kim Sang-hoon Criticizes Opposition's Party Policy on Grain, Agricultural Safety, and Hanwoo Laws as "Populist Policies Draining Citizens' Wallets"

"New Laws Are Important, but Expectation for Consensus on Livelihood Bills"

Kim Sang-hoon, the newly appointed Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, commented on the opposition party's adoption and promotion of the Grain Management Act, the Agricultural and Fishery Products Distribution and Price Stabilization Act (Nong-an Act), and the Korean Beef Act (Support Act for a Sustainable Korean Beef Industry) as party policies, saying, "If the public's pockets are emptied by the reckless issuance of populist policies, no one can guarantee the outcome."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th, Chairman Kim said, "We will go through the process of boosting consumption and stabilizing the supply and prices of agricultural products in consultation with the government." He added, "While proposing new bills is important, reaching consensus on already proposed livelihood bills is also very important," emphasizing, "Issues such as secure guarantees for care workers, extension of parental leave for dual-income couples, expansion of rental housing supply, easing of reconstruction requirements for aging apartments, promotion of balanced regional investment, and support for victims of jeonse fraud are very important current issues. I hope the ruling and opposition parties can reach an agreement on these."

Chairman Kim also stated, "Especially regarding overseas nuclear power plant orders, it is important to enact a Special Act for the Development of the Nuclear Power Industry," adding, "I understand that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are in the final stages of coordination, and I hope good results will appear soon." He continued, "The heatwave is reaching disaster levels," and said, "The government and local governments should work together and provide policy support to prevent heat-related illnesses."

Furthermore, he said, "Although there are concerns about stabilizing the supply of agricultural products, support can also be provided for vulnerable groups," adding, "We will manage food prices stably by utilizing stockpiles of agricultural products and providing emergency price stabilization funds."