Kwon Seong-dong: "Lee's Speech Ends as a Feast of Words"
The People Power Party on the 10th referred to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who proposed 'Jalsanism' in his parliamentary negotiation group representative speech, as "Ppeongsanism" and urged for action rather than just words.
Kim Dae-sik, senior floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, told reporters after Lee's speech at the National Assembly that morning, "Looking at the economic policies announced today, it almost feels like Lee is saying what our party advocates. We would welcome it if he just follows through on what he announced today, but we hope this will be realized through actions, not just words."
In his speech, Lee presented a vision including securing new growth engines, fair growth, and alleviating polarization and inequality, stating, "We will adopt 'Jalsanism,' where everyone lives well together, including 'Meoksanism' that solves livelihood issues, as a new vision."
Kim, the senior floor spokesperson, said, "Listening to Lee's speech today, it seems he is focused on the presidential election, and since the Democratic Party and Lee's approval ratings are falling, there is a tendency to shift to the right, which is good. As I have repeatedly said, if you have turned on the right turn signal, I hope you keep driving to the right." He criticized, "I deeply regret that Lee labels all opposing forces as supporters or sympathizers of rebellion."
Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. 2025.2.10 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Regarding the pension reform part mentioned in Lee's speech, Kim emphasized, "Our party has never claimed 44%. I want to make that clear." In the speech, Lee pointed out, "Let's first settle the urgent parameter reform," adding, "There is no disagreement on the 13% contribution rate, and the 44% income replacement rate proposed by the People Power Party is only 1% different from the Democratic Party's final proposal of 45%."
Kwon Young-se, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, also rebutted, saying, "It is wrong to say that the People Power Party advocates a 44% income replacement rate. We understand that we are currently advocating 42%. As the leader of the opposition party, I think it is right to speak accurately from the start and refrain from basing statements on untruths."
Regarding the parliamentary recall system proposed to Lee, he said, "Not only the recall system but there are many other issues. This is one of the opinions that should be brought to the table by both ruling and opposition parties for thorough discussion and consultation." Earlier in his speech, Lee stated, "We will engrave the mission of public servants to create a happy nation for the people and open the door wide to a 'democratic republic.' As the first measure, we will introduce a parliamentary recall system." The recall system allows voters to dismiss elected officials during their term through a public vote.
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, evaluated, "Basically, words and actions should match, but today it seems to have ended as a feast of words." Kwon pointed out, "In George Orwell's novel '1984,' the ministry of propaganda is called the 'Ministry of Truth,' and the ministry of torture is called the 'Ministry of Love.' That thought briefly came to mind."
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
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