[AK Radio] 'Lee Jae-myung's Change': Pragmatism or Regression?

Announcement of Growth-Oriented Economic Strategy Reflecting Governance Plan
Lee Jaemyung Considers Tax Reduction Policies
Lee Inyoung Criticizes, "Should We Adopt Yoon Suk-yeol's Policies?"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is accelerating his rightward shift by prominently adopting a centrist pragmatic approach. He has consecutively announced policies targeting the middle and conservative classes, including considering exceptions to the 52-hour workweek for high-wage semiconductor industry workers, preparing tax reduction policies for the middle class and office workers, and implementing business-friendly policies. However, voices of opposition within the party are also growing louder.

The Democratic Party's Governance Plan Headquarters (Chief Director Kim Min-seok) announced a growth strategy on the 6th centered on artificial intelligence, culture, and security. It included specific goals of achieving a 3% growth rate within five years and a 4% growth rate within ten years. On the 7th, they will launch 'Everyone's Question Q,' a de facto presidential campaign pledge organization.

Representative Lee Jae-myung and other Democratic Party figures are taking a commemorative photo after holding a forum with representatives from the four major conglomerates on the 5th.

On the 5th, the Democratic Party invited representatives from the four major conglomerates?Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, and LG?to hold a forum titled "Concerns of Key Export Companies in the Trump 2.0 Era." At this event, Lee Jae-myung emphasized, "The opinions of companies and businesspeople are most important in navigating the new international order," adding, "Unlike past government-led industrial development, it is now difficult to find solutions solely through the capabilities of politicians and administrative officials." He repeatedly stressed the importance of the role of companies in responding to changes in the global economic environment.

Tax reduction policies are also gaining momentum. They are considering raising the flat inheritance tax deduction from the current 500 million KRW to 800 million KRW, and the spousal inheritance deduction from 500 million KRW to 1 billion KRW. Additionally, they plan to reduce income tax rates by 3% for households with two or more children or those supporting parents, and to exempt capital gains tax and corporate tax on stock transfers within employee stock ownership associations.

There is also opposition within the party to Representative Lee's centrist expansion line under the banner of 'growth.'

However, opposition to Lee Jae-myung's rapid policy shift is spreading within the party. Five-term veteran lawmaker Lee In-young sharply criticized, "Should the Democratic Party's labor policy be the same as Yoon Seok-youl's?" and said, "Simple rightward shifts and mechanical centrism expansions are the wrong answers." Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon also expressed concerns, stating, "It is good to use pragmatic methods to realize progressive values, but pragmatism itself cannot be the goal or value." This is interpreted as a fundamental challenge related to the Democratic Party's identity.

Assemblyman Lee In-young criticized, saying, "Simple right-clicking and mechanical centrist expansion are the wrong answers."

The controversy surrounding the exemption of the 52-hour workweek for semiconductor industry workers is particularly heated. Members of the Industry, Trade and Energy Committee and the Environment and Labor Committee have all expressed opposition, and labor unions are strongly resisting. Lawmaker Lee Yong-woo criticized, "Will squeezing research and development workers increase competitiveness?" and added, "The start of securing competitiveness is to break away from such backward thinking." Labor groups define this as a regression of basic labor rights and strongly oppose it.

Lee Jae-myung himself has shown a change in stance. On the 3rd, he said, "It is hard to say no if they want to work intensively within the 52-hour limit," but on the 5th, he posed the question, "Is the 52-hour exemption really necessary?" which is symbolic. This is interpreted as being mindful of internal opposition.

The success or failure of Lee's centrist pragmatic line seems to hinge on several factors. First is communication within the party. Since significant changes are being attempted from existing policies, it is pointed out that sufficient internal discussion must take place. Unilateral policy promotion could backfire. Also, the outcome of Lee's appeal trial related to violations of the Public Official Election Act is considered a major variable. If the result is similar to the first trial, internal opposition may intensify.

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Above all, producing tangible results is crucial. Beyond simple policy announcements or bill proposals, gaining trust requires concrete achievements such as the passage of legislation. This will likely become the key measure distinguishing whether Lee's centrist pragmatic line is truly 'pragmatic' or a 'regression.' Some within the party have raised concerns that "the Democratic Party's fundamental value of virtuous cycle between growth and distribution is being shaken," suggesting that internal controversy will intensify going forward.

It is especially critical whether Lee Jae-myung's rightward shift can actually translate into public support. Some warn that if clear results in expanding the centrist base are not achieved, political risks may only increase. Ultimately, the challenges Lee must solve regarding his 'rightward shift' are policy promotion based on internal communication and consensus, and producing tangible results through this process.