Assemblyman Lee Gyumin: "Director Kim Kwangdoo, What Is Your Intention Behind Attacking Lee Jae-myung?"

Lee Gyumin, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Gyu-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Anseong, Gyeonggi Province), criticized Kim Kwang-du, president of the Korea Institute for Future Strategies, who said that Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's basic income, basic housing (ultra-long-term public rental housing), and the expansion of the land transaction permit system in the metropolitan area "have no concept of policy costs," saying "his intentions are suspicious" and urged him not to mislead the public.

On the 9th, through Facebook, Rep. Lee mentioned Kim's zigzag behavior, saying, "He was the economic teacher of former President Park Geun-hye, participated in the Democratic Party's presidential campaign in the last election, and after the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, he voiced criticism of the current government's economic policies such as income-led growth."

He continued, "Considering that he openly talked about the so-called welfare disease in the UK and questioned what would happen if a politician minister (Choo Mi-ae) directs the prosecution, I understand (his recent comment that Governor Lee Jae-myung has no concept of policy costs)," adding, "However, I suddenly became curious about the background of his intention to exaggerate and belittle Governor Lee's policy proposals."

Rep. Lee then asked, "Is it really true, as Kim said, that Governor Lee, who leads the administration of 13 million people in Gyeonggi Province, 'has no concept of policy costs'?" He added, "Governor Lee was the first in Korea to provide disaster relief funds, later received support from many citizens during the general election, and having worked in factories since his youth, he deeply understands the costs of living in this society. Would he really have no concept of policy costs?"

Rep. Lee said, "Kim 'misleads' by saying that the resources needed for basic income require paying twice the current taxes, as if doing elementary school arithmetic, but the funding for realizing basic income is currently a fiercely debated and researched topic," adding, "As the era of 'disappearing labor' is arriving, basic income is indispensable, and if so, we should consider funding research. Is it right to go around claiming that introducing basic income means paying twice the current taxes?"

He also condemned, "Kim's claims about the land transaction permit system are the height of exaggeration," explaining, "Governor Lee said it applies to the necessary scope for speculation prevention, especially when foreigners and corporations acquire land, but Kim is misleading people by suggesting that it intends to review the legitimacy of land transactions like the Communist Party."

Furthermore, he stated, "The basic housing advocated by Governor Lee also contains the concept of long-term public rental housing, similar to President Moon Jae-in's 'Lifetime Housing,'" and argued, "Even if it involves costs and tax increases, it is an essential policy to escape the stigma of having the lowest birth rate."

Finally, Rep. Lee emphasized, "Politics ultimately revolves around how and where the state's resources are used," adding, "Starting from here, it becomes clearer who basic housing, basic income, and the land transaction permit system are for."

Earlier, on the 9th, Kim Kwang-du criticized on Facebook, "Whenever I hear Governor Lee Jae-myung's claims, I wonder what kind of economic order and system he aims for," and said, "There is no concept of policy."

He added, "How much money would be needed to introduce the basic housing system? How much more tax would the people have to pay?" and said, "According to one study, to provide basic income of 500,000 won per person per month, both individuals and corporations would have to pay twice the taxes they currently pay."

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