Lee Hae-chan New Year's Meeting... 'Disabled, General Election, Real Estate' Sensitive Issues All Gathered (Comprehensive)

Apology for Controversy over 'Disparaging Remarks about Disabled'
Regarding the Korean Party's Satellite Party Formation Movement: "Not a Satellite Party but a Disguised Party"
Real Estate Transaction Permit System "Not Appropriate in a Market Economy"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized on the 16th for the controversy over his 'disparaging remarks about disabled people,' saying, "If my words ultimately caused various wounds, I am sorry."

At a New Year's press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Lee said, "I did not say it with the intention of looking down on any side at all, but I heard that there was such an analysis, so I conveyed it," explaining his remarks.

Earlier, on the party's YouTube channel 'Sseum,' Lee made disparaging remarks about Professor Choi Hye-young, a spinal cord disabled person recruited as a candidate for the general election, saying, "Congenital disabled people have disabilities from a young age, so their will is somewhat weak," and "But those who became disabled due to an accident originally had dreams of living a normal life," which sparked controversy.

When asked if his remarks could affect the general election, Lee said, "I have not made such remarks frequently," adding, "I have already officially apologized before, and this time as well, I did not say it with any particular intention."

During the press conference, questions about the general election were concentrated. When asked about the nomination policy for former Blue House officials, Lee said, "Being from the Blue House will not result in any special favors or disadvantages," and "We plan to strictly implement the nomination rules."

He added, "Not all former Blue House officials retire and run for election or apply for nomination," and "We will know how many will apply only after receiving applications, but the reports in the media seem somewhat exaggerated."

Regarding the forecast that there could be up to 200 primary election districts, Lee said, "We will accept nomination applications, but there will be cases of single-candidate applications, and there will be places where we strategically place candidates," adding, "The estimate of 200 districts having primaries is just a rough guess; we will know only after receiving the applications."

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a New Year's press conference at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee strongly criticized the Liberty Korea Party's satellite party formation movement aimed at securing a majority of proportional seats, calling it "not a satellite party but a disguised party," and said, "Such actions go against the purpose of the election law revision." He raised his voice, saying, "Calling it a satellite party is a very generous expression. What kind of satellite party is that? It is a disguised party."

Regarding progressive party alliances, he said, "Unlike in the past, artificial, political-engineering alliances do not work well for the ruling party now," emphasizing, "Each party doing its best to gain support from voters is the proper way, and since all parties are trying to field candidates nationwide, artificial alliances are not desirable."

Lee also expressed his stance on various policies promoted by the party and government, including livelihood and real estate. Regarding the 'real estate transaction permit system' mentioned by Chief Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Ki-jung the day before, Lee said, "There has been no consultation with the party, and the permit system is a very strong form of state control, which is not appropriate in a market economy."

However, he expressed a positive stance on increasing the comprehensive real estate tax for owners of three or more houses. Lee said, "Owning three or more houses is not normal by common sense," and "One should have just one house to live in to meet that standard." He added, "It is not desirable to seek profit from houses that others should live in," emphasizing, "Basically, it is right to strengthen holding taxes while lowering transaction taxes."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding criticism that the Democratic Party's first general election pledge, 'public free Wi-Fi,' lacks effectiveness, Lee said, "We have carefully reviewed it for a long time. We plan to expand about 53,000 nationwide, and we have calculated the budget. The total budget over three years exceeds 500 billion won," adding, "Considering the demand from young people and the expected increase in demand, we thoroughly investigated these points to make it a pledge."

Lee also evaluated the achievements of the National Assembly last year. He said, "The greatest achievement was completing reform legislation," and "especially the prosecution reform legislation was a historic task that had not been accomplished for decades due to the prosecution's resistance, but it was finally passed."

He continued, "We were also able to amend the long-standing contentious election law," and "Although the 20th National Assembly is often called the worst, it successfully impeached the government involved in the state affairs manipulation scandal and handled major unresolved issues at the end."

He said, "Now, the most important thing is victory in the general election," adding, "This general election is a crucial turning point deciding whether South Korea will regress to the past or complete the Candlelight Revolution and move forward to the future."

Lee said, "With the change in the election system, our party has effectively conceded a significant number of proportional seats, so it will be a difficult election where we have to gain more in the constituencies," adding, "We have prepared a lot and feel we are ahead of other parties, but election results are always uncertain."

He said, "We have successfully recruited talented individuals. Starting this week, we will announce general election pledges one by one," and "We will show the image of a capable party with good candidates and good policies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.