Lee Nak-yeon: "Negotiations on Proportional Representation Parties Are Embarrassing, Sorry for the Inconvenience Caused by Masks"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Nak-yeon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's joint election countermeasures committee, criticized the Democratic Party's participation in the proportional representation coalition party, saying, "It is embarrassing to see what is exchanged in the negotiations." Regarding the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), he expressed, "I am sorry that everyday inconveniences such as masks have not been resolved."

On the 19th, at the Kwanhun Debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Lee said about the criticism of the Democratic Party's participation in the proportional representation coalition party, "I think this is an event that reveals the overall capability of our politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to the criticism that "the position was eventually changed from non-participation to participation in the proportional party," he said, "I will not claim that my attitude has been consistent. I deeply regret that point," adding, "The mixed-member proportional representation system has accompanied severe pains since its introduction, and this situation continues. The current development is very embarrassing."

Regarding the backlash from the Green Party and the Mirae Party, he said, "What happened yesterday and today is also an unpleasant situation," and "It is embarrassing to see what is exchanged between those who are at the forefront of the negotiations." Lee also said, "It is not right to cause disappointment to those who have long cared about the Democratic Party," but he left open the possibility by saying, "I hope that senior figures in civil society who have long supported the Democratic Party will trust the party's difficulties and goodwill and join together."

Regarding COVID-19, he said, "It is painful that everyday inconveniences such as mask supply have not been sufficiently resolved," and expressed, "I am sorry." He added, "I think we have done our best in medical and healthcare responses," but also said, "Our reality is that we cannot meet the sharply increased demand for masks."

He also expressed his position on the scale of the second supplementary budget (supplementary budget) and disaster basic income. Regarding the second supplementary budget bill, Lee said, "Shouldn't we avoid a method where finance plays a leading role just because there is demand?"

Regarding the increasingly active discussion on disaster basic income, he showed a cautious attitude. He said, "In facing a disaster, it is about guaranteeing the minimum livelihood of the people and causing the minimum circulation in the economy," and pointed out, "There needs to be much discussion regarding the scope and method. It is necessary to be cautious about introducing it in a short time through the supplementary budget."

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