[Full Text] Hwang Kyo-ahn Raises 'Big Bow' Again... "If Over 180 Seats, Will Amend Constitution Denying Freedom"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 14th, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, held a press conference in front of Bosingak in Jongno and requested people to vote for the United Future Party, saying, "Please make a choice you will not regret."

He said the United Future Party "may be seen as an inadequate child in the eyes of the people. We will reflect more and improve more," and bowed deeply right after reading the press statement. It was just four days after he made a deep bow at Marronnier Park in Jongno-gu on the 10th, saying, "We cannot check the ruling party like this."

Below is the full text of Leader Hwang's press statement.

Respected citizens,

The general election that will decide the fate of the country and your lives is tomorrow.

It is time to make a choice you will not regret.

Citizens, at this point, I earnestly ask you to look back coldly on the past three years of the Moon Jae-in administration.

Please think once more whether this country can just continue as it is.

Our economy, barely defending a 2% growth rate despite pouring in taxpayers' money,

our livelihoods where rental stickers are posted on every store, and young people suffer from long-term unemployment,

our security, helplessly enduring numerous nuclear and missile provocations from North Korea without a word,

our diplomacy, isolated and tangled due to discordant North Korea policies with the international community,

are these the images of the Republic of Korea we dreamed of?

Halfway through the president's term, the economy has already become half-broken.

Companies, the backbone of our economy, are losing their world No. 1 positions one by one,

and small and medium-sized enterprises, the pillars of our economy, are facing the crisis of mass bankruptcies.

Seven million small business owners are struggling just to survive day by day, let alone nurturing dreams for tomorrow.

If we spend the remaining half like this,

the remaining half of our economy will collapse as well.

Is it right to continue the income-led growth policy, the main culprit that ruined the economy?

Can we allow the nuclear power industry, which took 70 years to reach world No. 1, to collapse due to ideology?

The real estate policy that only caused skyrocketing housing prices and polarization,

and the education policy that lowered the quality and fairness of education,

can we continue these as they are?

Shouldn't we correct and restore them now?

During the three years of the Moon Jae-in administration, an enormous tax bomb has fallen.

Income tax rose by 17.5%, corporate tax by 52.2%,

and comprehensive real estate tax by a whopping 108%.

Health insurance premiums also increased by 25%.

While the economy grew by 10% over three years,

taxes jumped from double to eleven times that amount.

In this already difficult economic situation, self-employed people, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations alike cannot breathe under the tax bomb.

Please let us breathe.

Also, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis,

tax payments must be deferred for at least six months.

On top of that, an enormous amount of national debt is being issued.

In the first quarter alone this year, 62.4 trillion won was borrowed, averaging 1 trillion won per day. This will ruin the country.

After the general election, an enormous tax nuclear bomb bill will be passed on to the people.

When wounds deepen, healing becomes difficult.

It is not too late yet.

If corrected in this general election, we can rise again.

This general election is the last chance to correct things before it is too late.

Citizens, I once thought this administration might change, even though it started off on the wrong foot.

But this administration is dyed in ideology and intoxicated with power, and does not know how to reflect.

It is a regime that not only fears the people but tries to deceive them.

Even now, it is not thinking about reviving the economy, but is all-in on saving Cho Kuk, isn't it?

They say they will even oust Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl because he touched Cho Kuk, don't they?

The Democratic Party consistently covers up and remains silent even in the face of their own candidate's misogyny and abusive language.

If the people do not clearly warn them in this general election,

and if the ruling party completely controls the legislative branch following the executive and judiciary,

it will bring about greater disaster.

The reckless dictatorship-like rampage will worsen.

The Democratic Party is arrogantly expecting 180 seats in this general election.

They are extremely arrogant, but the election is indeed difficult.

If they get 180 seats despite ruining the country, the future of this country is despair.

The economy will worsen, and livelihoods will face bankruptcy.

Income-led growth, nuclear phase-out,

and anti-business, pro-labor union policies will continue as they are.

Yoon Seok-youl will be ousted, and Cho Kuk and his wife will smile and revive.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, and biased civic groups

will gain more power wearing armbands.

Forces that once dreamed of socialism and federal unification

will even attempt constitutional amendments denying liberal democracy.

We must prevent such a situation at all costs.

The only power to stop this is the people.

I know well how the people see the United Future Party.

We may be seen as inadequate children in your eyes.

We will reflect more and improve more.

We will take criticism and reproach as a whip to change and change again.

But can we just leave the country to collapse?

Please believe in our sincere intention to revive the economy and save the country,

and give us the power to check the reckless power of absolute authority.

Direct all criticism and reproach to me,

and please support our candidates who are running with the determination to save the country all over the nation.

Citizens,

Every step you take toward the polling station

is a precious step that changes the future of the Republic of Korea.

Your precious vote can change the world.

Just as a drop of water accumulates to pierce a large rock,

each vote will accumulate to pierce arrogant power.

I ask all citizens who care about the country to visit the polling station without exception.

With your wise choice,

I dream of this country taking a strong leap forward again. Thank you.

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