Lee Jae-myung Emphasizes 30 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget... Proposes 4-Day Workweek and National Recall System (Comprehensive)

Recovery and Growth through 'Jalsanism'
State Support for New Growth Industries such as AI, Bio, and Contents
Effectively a Presidential Blueprint

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, presented a presidential blueprint, pledging to realize ‘Jalsanism’ through recovery and growth. He proposed the urgent handling of an additional supplementary budget of around 30 trillion won. Additionally, he delivered controversial political and economic messages, including the introduction of a four-day workweek nation and a national recall system for members of the National Assembly.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 10th. 2025.2.10 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In his speech to the negotiating group leaders at the National Assembly on the 10th, Lee said, "'Recovery and growth' are necessary conditions for a better tomorrow," and announced, "We will establish a ‘Recovery and Growth Committee for a Basic Society’ and mobilize all party forces." In particular, Lee stated, "We will adopt a new vision called ‘Jalsanism,’ which means everyone living well together, including ‘Meoksanism’ that solves the problem of making a living."

Lee said, "Whether progressive or conservative policies, if they are useful prescriptions, we must mobilize all efforts. We will accept any policy that is useful for a world where everyone lives well together." He emphasized, "The most urgent task is an emergency measure to revive the people’s economy, a supplementary budget," and added, "The government must not miss the golden time for economic recovery through fiscal expansion."

Lee also presented six future industries requiring additional investment: ▲ AI (Artificial Intelligence) ▲ Bio (Biotechnology) ▲ Contents & Culture (Cultural contents, etc.) ▲ Defense (Defense industry) ▲ Energy ▲ Factory (Support for manufacturing revival). He said, "Support for demonstration projects for industrial restructuring and high value-added product development is necessary," and urged, "Let the ruling and opposition parties discuss structural solutions together, such as worker measures including job transition training and revitalization of local commercial districts."

Regarding trade and commerce, Lee said, "With the launch of Trump’s second term, the international order is rapidly being reorganized," and added, "In an era of survival of the fittest dominated by nationalism, it is more difficult for us, who have a high export dependency. Politics must take the lead in responding to the trade crisis."

He avoided direct mention of the recent hot political topic of the ‘Semiconductor Special Act’ and the exemption issue from the 52-hour workweek system. However, on labor issues, he said, "Productivity improvements through artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology should lead to ‘reduction of working hours,’" and emphasized, "To move toward a creative and autonomous advanced technology society, working hours must be reduced, passing through a ‘4.5-day workweek’ to become a ‘four-day workweek nation.’"

Regarding current political issues, Lee analyzed, "Baseless distrust and violence against constitutional institutions such as the courts, the Constitutional Court, and the National Election Commission are rampant. ‘Anti-constitutional and constitutional destruction forces’ that deny constitutional principles have appeared at the forefront of reality." He stated, "The Democratic Party will form a ‘Constitutional Protection Coalition’ with all those who respect the values of democratic republicanism and fight together against the ‘constitutional destruction forces.’" Lee said, "At the site where colorful cheering sticks and lively chants were heard, the sovereign people have already shown the ‘better world’ we will create by preventing constitutional destruction and historical regression."

Lee said, "The Democratic Party will be reborn as a loyal tool of the sovereign people and complete the ‘Revolution of Light’ that never goes out," and announced, "As the first measure, we will introduce a recall system for members of the National Assembly." The national recall system allows elected officials to be dismissed by a national vote during their term.