Lee Nak-yeon "COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Starts in March... Presented with Basis and Determination" (Comprehensive)

"Public Rental Housing Supply Will Help Youth Build Wealth and Achieve Homeownership Dreams"
"Decision on 3-Step Elevation Should Be Made After Consulting Experts... Efforts for Prompt Decision-Making"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned on the 13th the sharp increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), stating, "We are striving to begin the use of therapeutics before late January next year and to start vaccinations before March."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Lee said, "We will do our best to expedite the use of therapeutics and vaccinations while confirming their effectiveness and safety."

He added, "At the same time, we will encourage the swift disbursement of tailored disaster relief funds amounting to 3 trillion won for citizens suffering greater hardships starting early next year," emphasizing, "We will execute 72.4% of the budget early in the first half of next year to support livelihoods and the economy, and the party and government will hold frequent fiscal management review meetings to oversee budget execution."

When asked by reporters about the feasibility, he explained, "I have thought it very important to be cautious when mentioning timelines. I cannot speak without some basis," adding, "I have broadly consulted with the government, relevant authorities, and the medical community, and after confirming, I presented the timeline with some determination."

Lee also requested, "Local governments and the private sector should cooperate in securing residential treatment centers and beds for severe patients," and said, "The party is considering playing a role in requesting help from the private sector or encouraging local government participation." Regarding the timing of raising social distancing to level 3, he said, "We need to assist the quarantine authorities in making precise judgments by listening to experts," but also noted, "There is a need to strive for decision-making to be made more swiftly and in line with the circumstances and demands on the ground."

Lee attributed significance to the bills passed during this regular session of the National Assembly.

He said, "In this regular session and the subsequent extraordinary session, we achieved the largest and most numerous reforms since democratization in 1987," adding, "With the passage of the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, we will complete the three power institution reform laws, including the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act and the Police Act." He expressed expectations, saying, "With the launch of the HOCI after 24 years of public debate, it will purify the public service from the top, prevent abuse of power and human rights violations through mutual checks and balances among power institutions, and break the chain of corruption and collusion."

Lee described the Fair Economy Three Laws as "also meaningful legislative achievements," stating, "They will enhance the health of the economic ecosystem and strengthen the competitiveness of our companies." He also mentioned amendments to labor-related laws aligned with the International Labour Organization (ILO) fundamental conventions, as well as laws related to uncovering the truth about the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the Sewol ferry disaster, evaluating them as "historic progress resolving our long-standing tasks one by one."

Regarding criticism that the Democratic Party only listened to its supporters during the HOCI Act process, he said, "You should know that we made efforts until the very end for consensus," adding, "In the long run, this is a societal task we have waited 24 years for, and please remember that opposition party leaders also made pledges on this." On criticism that the Democratic Party has become more conservative after coming to power, he emphasized, "I recall that the passage of the Fair Economy Three Laws was regarded as meaningful progress," and said, "While party members' opinions are not completely unified, they are relatively converging."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee said, "We will also strive to implement the unfinished tasks among the Moon administration's national agendas. We will provide legislative and policy support for lagging projects such as job creation, expansion of public rental housing for newlyweds and youth, and balanced regional development," adding, "We will promptly conclude important legislative tasks such as the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, Conflict of Interest Prevention Act, Living Logistics Service Industry Development Act, the 4.3 Special Act, and the Gadeokdo New Airport Special Act."

He particularly emphasized the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, saying, "Passing it within the extraordinary session means a lot," and added, "If I say we will enact it today, it will be the 11th time," underscoring his determination to pass it. However, regarding the 4.3 Special Act, he said, "We have consulted and made efforts with the government whenever possible, but we have not found common ground yet," promising to continue efforts.

Meanwhile, on the party's approval ratings failing to recover from a downward trend, Lee said, "The public's sentiment is always sensitive, and political groups must humbly accept this," adding, "I do not think there will be an artificial rebound from one or two incidents. We can only steadily do what we must."

Regarding Open Democratic Party leader Choi Kang-wook's bill targeting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, which prohibits prosecutors from running for public office for one year after retirement, Lee expressed, "I think it is somewhat excessive."

On real estate measures, he emphasized, "There is generally no disagreement in the political sphere about the need to supply more diverse public rental housing," adding, "Increasing the supply of affordable and diverse public rental housing will help young people accumulate assets and achieve homeownership more quickly." When asked if there was any mention of public sentiment on real estate during a private meeting with President Moon Jae-in the previous day, he refrained from commenting, saying, "It is unprecedented and inappropriate to disclose the conversation."

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