Kwon Seong-dong: "Claims Opposite to Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party's Policy Line"
On the 24th, Kwon Seong-dong, leader of the People Power Party, commented skeptically on the 'pragmatism' and 'pro-business' stance expressed by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at a press conference the previous day, saying, "Just because a rat imitates a cat does not mean it becomes a real cat."
At a party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Kwon criticized, "This is a claim completely opposite to the policy line shown by Lee and the Democratic Party so far," adding, "Not a single line from beginning to end can be trusted."
Earlier, at the press conference, Lee stated, "Ideology and factions do not put food on the table. Whether black or white, isn't a cat that catches rats well a good cat?" He mentioned a private-sector-led growth theory, saying, "In an era where corporate competitiveness is national competitiveness, jobs are created by companies, and the growth and development of companies is the development of the national economy."
Floor Leader Kwon pointed out, "How can the leader of the major opposition party and a leading presidential candidate change his policy and stance arbitrarily in front of the entire nation without changing his expression?"
Referring to the Democratic Party's proposals such as the Yellow Envelope Act, the National Assembly Testimony and Inspection Act, and the Commercial Act amendment, Floor Leader Kwon said, "They were busy attacking companies, and now they say they will support companies," calling it "terrifying and grotesque like a stalking criminal's love confession."
He continued, "It was the Democratic Party that incited people by calling the global trend of lowering inheritance, gift, and corporate taxes a tax cut for the rich," and criticized, "The Democratic Party also wavered and responded lukewarmly to the abolition of the financial investment income tax, which is the hope of small investors."
Regarding remarks on strengthening the Korea-US alliance, he said, "Didn't he say in the past that 'the Soviet Union was a liberating army, and the US military was an occupying army'?" and "During the 2017 presidential election, didn't he say 'we must be prepared for the withdrawal of US troops from Korea'?" He also added, "Didn't he form an electoral alliance with the Progressive Party, a remnant of pro-North Korean ideology?"
Floor Leader Kwon emphasized, "Lee even says he will reconsider his own brand, the basic income. This is really a good decision. But the Democratic Party proposed the Local Currency Act just the day before," calling it "political self-division."
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
He also urged, "Lee brought up the 'Black Cat, White Cat' theory to package himself as a pragmatist, but just because a rat imitates a cat does not mean it becomes a real cat. If you want to become a truly good cat, first abolish the numerous evil laws that the Democratic Party is pushing."
Meanwhile, Kim Sang-hoon, chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, directly criticized Lee's mention of the importance of AI industry, semiconductors, and robotics for creating new growth engines at the press conference, saying, "In reality, they oppose the Semiconductor Special Act that excludes the 52-hour workweek regulation for R&D workers demanded on site while watching the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and they are not cooperating with the three advanced industry energy laws that will provide the energy supply base for new growth engines, the National Power Grid Expansion Act, the High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Act, and the Offshore Wind Power Act."
He added, "If Lee's press conference is not a lie, then show sincerity to the people through bipartisan cooperation on livelihood bills including the Semiconductor Special Act and the four future food laws, and through the bold withdrawal of evil laws such as the Local Currency Act and the Commercial Act amendment."
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