Ahn Cheol-soo: "Hwang Kyo-ahn, 500,000 Won Per Person to All Citizens? Is He in His Right Mind?"

"In a Word, 'Ticket Populism'... What Exactly Is Its Identity?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticized the ruling and opposition parties’ populism that uses the national crisis as a means for private gain, regarding the proposal to expand the emergency disaster relief fund payment to the entire population on the 9th. He pointed out, “How can national governance be approached in such a way?”

On the same day, through a “Special Statement on Opposition to Populism and the Basic Policy on Emergency Disaster Relief,” Ahn said, “It is hard not to question the sanity of the leader of the main opposition party, who should be at the forefront of stopping the current administration’s populism, but instead insists on giving 500,000 won per person to the entire population,” calling it “simply vote-buying populism.”

He directed sharp criticism at Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, saying, “You have given wings to the ruling party, which is desperate to buy votes through populism,” and added, “Despite the People’s Party’s request not to split the opposition vote and even making the significant decision to forgo nominations in constituencies, aren’t we now being led by the ruling party in this election?”

He continued, “Principles and fundamentals are important. Emergency disaster relief funds should be based on selective support, not universal support,” emphasizing, “The key is to quickly decide and execute support for the sectors and groups affected to prevent them from facing critical situations.”

Ahn criticized, “What exactly is the identity of the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party, who have no interest in the nation’s future and are only obsessed with pursuing their own factional interests?” and questioned, “Can crisis overcoming be possible with such awareness and mentality?”

Ahn stated, “Why on earth should economic support be given to conglomerates, public officials, and public institution employees now?” and added, “Rather, as I previously proposed, 10% of their salaries should be paid in local currency or Onnuri gift certificates with a three-month usage period to help revitalize local businesses.”

Ahn said, “If it is difficult to select the criteria for recipients, the exclusion criteria can be quickly agreed upon,” and explained, “Public officials, public institution workers, teachers, professional soldiers, and workers in stable large companies?occupations unaffected by the COVID-19 impact?should be excluded first. The 27.5 million selective recipients I previously suggested were based on these criteria.”

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