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| Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, right, takes a selfie with a participant during a seminar at Seoul National University in Gwanak District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Nam Hyun-woo
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is striving to distance himself from the Moon Jae-in administration, stepping up his criticism of the government's economic and COVID-19 relief policies as well as scandals involving Moon's aides.
The move is interpreted as a bid to attract centrist voters who are believed to hold the key to the upcoming presidential election in March.
"It is absurd to say debt ― whether it is state or individual ― is unconditionally bad," Lee said during a speech in a seminar at Seoul National University, Tuesday. "If it is much more valuable to use future assets in advance, we should do so."
The comments are targeting the Moon government's efforts to contain state expenditures, especially related to COVID-19 relief for the public. Lee has been claiming that the government should provide more funds to everybody, and has been at odds with the government which opposes this.
Lee also blamed the government for people's economic difficulties, saying financial policy failures have resulted in banks abandoning their public function. "Global banks everywhere suffered a decline in their operating profits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Korean banks have enjoyed handsome growth in their profits," Lee said. "And this is because of a failure in government policies."
He also denounced the government for its lack of effort in helping people recover from the impact of social distancing regulations.
"The so-called K-quarantine has been highly recognized by the global community, but this is an outcome of the people's sacrifices, rather than the government's efforts," Lee said during a meeting with small business owners and the self-employed Monday. "K-quarantine" is a term coined by the Moon government to boast of its pandemic response, likening its successes to the global popularity of K-pop.
"I really don't understand why the government is doing this," Lee said. "I looked up data on each country's national spending during the pandemic, and Korea's remained at a paltry level. I'm not saying other countries were squandering money, but our government did not fulfill its responsibility."
Citing data showing the Korean government's direct disaster relief for households accounted for 1.3 percent of GDP, Lee said this was an "absurdly small amount."
He also repeatedly apologized for the corruption allegations against Cho Kuk, a former justice minister and close aide to President Moon.
"Whether it is a serious or minor fault, it is a wrongdoing," Lee said. "Since the DPK has been calling for a transparent and fair society, I also should take responsibility."
The prosecution and the Moon government clashed over investigating a scandal in which Cho and his wife allegedly exercised their influence to have their children admitted to prestigious universities.
Because of that debacle, the President and the ruling bloc faced criticism for having "double standards" in the way they dealt with corruption cases involving ruling bloc figures. This also resulted in Yoon Suk-yeol stepping down as prosecutor general and later becoming the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party, despite having no political background.
Lee is also striving to distance himself from Moon's real estate policies, which are a core reason for criticism leveled against the government.
On Nov. 2, when his election camp announced its official launch, Lee said, "I have no option but to sincerely apologize to the people who are suffering from expensive housing prices. ... Regarding the real estate market, (the DPK and the Moon government) have caused too much pain and frustration to the people."
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| President Moon Jae-in speaks with Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung during their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Oct. 26. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog |
Lee's efforts to distance himself from the Moon government come as polls are indicating more than half of the Korean electorate want the opposition to win the election.
According to a survey by Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) requested by broadcaster TBS, 51.1 percent of respondents said the upcoming presidential election "should be about leadership change to an opposition candidate," while 36.6 percent said it was about "re-creating the administration" through a DPK win. The poll surveyed 1,007 adults, Dec. 3 and 4, and further details are available at National Election Survey Deliberation Commission or KSOI websites.
As Lee continues his centrist moves, the DPK is contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of this action.
"To be honest, it is a very tricky situation," DPK Rep. Cho Eung-cheon, who is part of Lee's camp, said when asked whether Lee's centrist moves were alienating Moon's supporters.
"The President is still enjoying an unprecedentedly high job approval rate, and it is a burden for us. However, Lee is apologizing to the public for the Cho Kuk scandal every day, and talking about real estate policies and COVID-19 relief packages," Cho said during a radio interview with broadcaster KBS. "On issues which the public feel anger toward, Lee will unveil policies distinguishing himself from these."
