Lee Jaemyung Willing to Forgo 'Livelihood Support Fund'... Ruling Party Urges End to 'Chameleon Politics' (Comprehensive)

Lee Jaemyung Steps Back on Livelihood Support Fund, Urges Swift Supplementary Budget
Proposes Parametric Pension Reform by February
Ruling Party Expresses Doubts, Warns Against "Political Maneuvering"

On January 31, Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the ruling party to swiftly pass an extra budget (supplementary budget), while stepping back by stating, "I am willing to forgo the livelihood support fund." He also proposed that parametric reforms (adjustments to pension contribution rates and income replacement rates) for the National Pension should be pursued within February. The ruling party criticized this as "chameleon politics," accusing Lee of changing his political stance with an eye on an early presidential election.

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At the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, Lee said, "If it is effective, what does it matter if the policy is not a livelihood support fund? As long as an efficient policy to support people's livelihoods is introduced, it doesn't matter, so please do everything possible to quickly allocate the supplementary budget." The Democratic Party has been insisting that a "250,000 won nationwide livelihood recovery support fund" be provided through the supplementary budget. The ruling bloc opposes this, arguing that it would not stimulate domestic demand and would only increase the fiscal burden. Lee stated, "Only a supplementary budget can revive the heart of the dying people's economy," and added, "A supplementary budget to revive the people's economy and a livelihood support fund are absolutely necessary. I am open to differentiated or targeted support for the livelihood support fund."

Regarding pension reform, he proposed that they should first settle parametric reforms. Lee said, "Structural reforms are not easy, so isn't it better to at least pursue parametric reforms? I hope that with bipartisan and active cooperation, some degree of pension reform can be implemented," he emphasized.

He continued, "It would be great to implement a perfect plan, but even an imperfect one is better than doing nothing. It doesn't matter who proposes pension reform as long as it improves people's lives. Let the People Power Party take credit for the results," he said.

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In response, the People Power Party expressed skepticism, hoping this was not a ploy for a temporary political shift. Kwon Youngse, interim leader of the People Power Party, remarked, "Lee even invoked the 'black cat, white cat' theory, but you can't entrust fish to a cat, whether it's black or white." Kwon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, also commented, "The Lee Jaemyung faction is now touting so-called 'pragmatism' with an eye on an early presidential election. Simply changing rhetoric on policy is not pragmatism, but a slip of the tongue."

Regarding the supplementary budget, some pointed out that an apology should come first for last year's budget cut, which was passed under the Democratic Party's initiative. Kim Sanghoon, policy chief of the People Power Party, said, "The reason the government and the People Power Party did not agree to the 1 trillion won increase in the local gift certificate budget, which defendant Lee Jaemyung is demanding, is clear," adding, "If you want to talk about a supplementary budget, shouldn't you first apologize to the public for the unilateral budget cuts forced through at the end of last year?" On pension reform, he stated, "Both parties should immediately form a special parliamentary committee on pension reform and simultaneously pursue both parametric and structural reforms. I strongly urge that we move beyond performative discussion of livelihood issues and engage in a serious debate premised on self-reflection."

He also called for the passage of pending livelihood and economic bills in the National Assembly, such as the Semiconductor Special Act (which includes exceptions to the 52-hour workweek) and the Special Act on Expanding National Power Grids. Kwon, the floor leader, said, "The Semiconductor Special Act is currently pending in the National Assembly due to opposition from the Democratic Party," and added, "If the Democratic Party has even the slightest sincerity about fostering advanced industries, I once again strongly urge that livelihood bills be passed by bipartisan agreement in the February session of the National Assembly."