Lee Appears on MBC's '100-Minute Debate'
"Not Abandoning Progressive Values, Focusing on Practicality"
"Talking About Constitutional Reform Will Become a Black Hole"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated regarding his characterization of the Democratic Party as 'center-right conservative' that "it does not mean abandoning progressive values, but rather placing emphasis on practicality." On the growing calls for constitutional reform following the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and demands to curb the presidential system's excessive powers, he avoided a definitive answer, saying, "Now is the time to focus on overcoming the internal conflict."
Regarding the issue of easing income tax on wages, he said, "This is not a matter of left or right. It is a matter of fairness," and on discussions about easing inheritance tax, he asserted, "Easing it does not cause fiscal instability."
"I judge the Democratic Party to be somewhat center-right conservative"
On the afternoon of the 19th, Lee appeared on MBC's '100-Minute Debate' and reiterated, "I judge the position and stance of the Democratic Party to be somewhat center-right conservative." He explained, "I believe that actual center-left or progressive areas should be taken on by new sectors. I think this is part of our society's development process." He added, "I don't know if the expression was too strong, but I became party leader with that thought in mind," and "Since the right side is vacant, I think it is also our role to play a healthy and rational conservative role."
Earlier, Lee appeared on the YouTube channel 'Saenal TV' and said, "The People Power Party is not conservative. We actually hold a position around center or conservative, and the progressive camp needs to be newly established." Lee emphasized, "I don't think the People Power Party is conservative. They are falsely claiming to be conservative," and "Therefore, I think the Democratic Party should occupy that position, and I believe we have actually played that role to a considerable extent."
He also explained, "I don't think the Democratic Party's identity has changed in the current state," and "I have never said that we should abandon progressive values or the fundamental values we should pursue." Lee said, "Now, growth or conservative, stable values, the restoration and maintenance of the basic constitutional order?aren't these much more important conservative values? That is what I was talking about."
"Now is the time to focus on overcoming internal conflict... Mentioning constitutional reform is a black hole"
Regarding discussions on constitutional reform, Lee was reserved, saying, "Now is the time to focus on overcoming internal conflict." When asked by a panelist if he has the will for constitutional reform, he said, "If we talk about constitutional reform now, it will become a black hole." He added, "(If we discuss constitutional reform) those wearing red ties will be pleased," and explained, "The impeachment issue, the restoration of the constitutional order, and the responsibility for constitutional destruction might be pushed to the background."
Lee said, "For us, putting that (constitutional reform) issue at the forefront might not help resolve the difficult situation; it might even be harmful," and emphasized again, "It is not urgent. Now, restoring the constitutional order is more important."
When asked about the criticism that "past presidential candidates did not discuss constitutional reform when their chances of winning increased," he said, "I thought I would win the last presidential election. At that time, I had a clear constitutional reform plan. I intended to shorten the term by one year." When the host asked again if his thoughts on that constitutional reform method had changed, Lee avoided a definitive answer, saying, "I decided not to talk about that."
When asked about the biggest problem with the current presidential system, Lee answered, "The concentration of power. Excessive concentration."
Optimistic about second trial on election law violation charges
Lee said he is "optimistic" about the outcome of the second trial scheduled for the 26th regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. When asked if the second trial's outcome would affect his future political moves, such as running for president, he said, "That is hypothetical. Since all sorts of speculation will arise, it is inappropriate to comment," but expressed confidence, saying, "It will not be a problem."
Regarding the question, "Presidents are not subject to criminal prosecution except for internal rebellion or foreign invasion during their term," Lee said, "Soe refers to indictment, and chu refers to conducting a lawsuit, so the majority opinion is that (the trial) is suspended."
In response to criticism that "during the second trial, the defense is intentionally delaying the trial by hiring lawyers late and not receiving lawsuit notices," he said, "That is completely different from the facts. Whether or not a lawyer is hired does not affect the trial at all," and explained, "The lawsuit documents were not received because my wife was not home, but they came to the National Assembly, and I received them immediately."
Lee is approaching the conclusion of the appeal trial for violating the Public Official Election Act on the 26th. He was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year probation in the first trial last November for spreading false information during the last presidential election.
CBS attack post "Posted because it matched my intention"
Regarding the critical post about CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that he posted on his social media and deleted within an hour, Lee said, "It matched my intention. I posted it because I thought so."
He added about the party leader's office deleting the post, saying it was due to the account manager's mistake, "(The staff) did not get final approval and decided to delete it because it was not very good."
Previously, Lee posted a critical message targeting 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on his Facebook and deleted it after about an hour. He linked to the broadcast from August 28 last year and wrote, "I wondered why Kim Hyun-jung's News Show was so harsh on the Democratic Party and me, and it seems there was a reason for such malicious framing."
At that time, Park Sung-min, CEO of Political Consulting Min, who appeared as a panelist, said, "The relationship between the presidential office and the ruling party dealing with the opposition is similar to the past relationship between the U.S. and the South Korean government dealing with North Korea." The program edited this content, labeling President Yoon Seok-yeol's photo as 'U.S.,' former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon’s photo as 'South Korea,' and Lee’s photo as 'North Korea?'.
Lee explained, "Looking at the photos, Lee Jae-myung is portrayed as the same as North Korea. In the situation of so-called pro-North Korea accusations, there were also very malicious things about previous trials." Regarding overall media coverage, Lee said, "The media quickly reports 'exclusive' stories unfavorable to me, but when I am acquitted, there is little coverage," and added, "The overwhelming majority of the media are making efforts. Overall, it seems to be negative for me." He emphasized, "Freedom of the press must be guaranteed, but it should not protect lawlessness."
Workers are too unfairly treated... We must not neglect this
Lee reiterated his intention to ease income tax on wages and inheritance tax. However, regarding income tax on wages, he said there is a need to publicize and discuss to what extent tax revenue, which would decrease by more than 10 trillion won if fully reflecting inflation, should be adjusted.
In response to a panelist's criticism that "easing income tax on wages might cause fiscal instability," Lee said, "Right now, workers are too unfairly treated, and we must not neglect this situation," and "There is a tax base (the amount on which tax is calculated) for income tax on wages. When a certain amount is exceeded, the tax rate increases, but with rising prices, actual wages remain the same, while nominal wages rise, changing the tax base and sharply increasing taxes."
He added, "As the proportion of income tax on wages in total tax revenue has increased tremendously, workers are too unfairly treated," and argued, "While tax cuts are given on excess profits of large corporations, neglecting this is unacceptable."
However, he added, "If the tax base is adjusted to reflect inflation, annual tax revenue is said to decrease by about 12 trillion won," and "Then problems arise. There is a need to review to what extent this issue should be adjusted." Regarding easing inheritance tax, he said, "Easing it does not cause fiscal instability."
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