Jung Sye-kyun and Lee Jae-myung's 'Disaster Relief Fund Debate'... Jung Sung-ho Says "Only Pigs See Pigs"

Pro-JaeMyung Faction's Jeong Seong-ho Indirectly Criticizes Prime Minister Jeong
Verbal Clash Between Prime Minister Jeong and Governor Lee on Disaster Relief Fund Distribution on 7th
Prime Minister Jeong: "We Must Move Beyond Simplistic Debates Like 'Distribute More' or 'Distribute Less'"
Governor Lee: "Common People Are Fighting for Life-and-Death Issues," He Retorts

Jeong Seong-ho, member of the Democratic Party and chairman of the National Assembly Budget Committee / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid a heated exchange between Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung over the method of distributing disaster relief funds, Jeong Seong-ho, chairman of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, remarked, "To a pig's eyes, only a pig is visible; to Buddha's eyes, only Buddha is visible." Jeong, who is classified as pro-Lee Jae-myung, is interpreted as indirectly criticizing Prime Minister Chung.

On the 8th, Jeong wrote on his Facebook, "While doing politics, I have always resolved and tried to be cautious with my words and actions, not to be impatient or anxious, but to be calm and magnanimous," adding, "I have always tried to think twice and be careful to avoid disparaging or hurtful words toward others, but there were times I unintentionally caused hurt and regretted it."

He continued, "Let us be more careful not to lower our dignity with vulgar words," emphasizing, "In the new year, I vow to work humbly and silently, focusing solely on national interests and the welfare of the people."

Jeong's remarks came the day after the verbal clash between Prime Minister Chung and Governor Lee on the 7th, leading some to view his comments as a veiled criticism of the Prime Minister.

Jeong, who has been close friends with Governor Lee for over 30 years since passing the 28th Judicial Examination together, had previously positioned himself as Lee's kingmaker. In an interview with a media outlet on the 5th, Jeong praised Lee, saying, "Governor Lee has excellent policy execution and decisiveness," and "He is a leader with the drive to realize fairness and justice."

Meanwhile, on the 7th, Prime Minister Chung and Governor Lee engaged in a debate over the method of distributing disaster relief funds via social networking services (SNS).

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is responding to lawmakers' questions during an emergency inquiry on the current status of quarantine measures, vaccine supply, and vaccination timing amid COVID-19 at the National Assembly plenary session held on the 8th in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

The dispute began when Governor Lee recently shared an interview article of Prime Minister Chung on his Facebook, emphasizing that "livelihood is more important than fiscal soundness," and urged, "I fully agree and once again request nationwide distribution of disaster relief funds through local currency."

On the 7th, Prime Minister Chung wrote on Facebook addressing Governor Lee, "The reason I am sending this letter today is to thank you for your comments on my New Year's interview and to further discuss policies for restoring livelihoods," adding, "I hope we can move beyond simplistic debates like 'let's spend more' or 'let's spend less.'"

Regarding Governor Lee's claim for disaster relief funds distribution through local currency, Prime Minister Chung pointed out, "For the government's financial input to be effective, it must be spent early and in sectors that desperately need support," and "This effect can be achieved without any problem by distributing funds through the existing method of credit card charging."

He also stated, "Local currency, which is only valid within a specific region, may help local residents, but it is difficult to understand why this method should be adopted at the national level."

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Governor Lee posted again under the title "To Avoid Being Captured by Bureaucrats, the Regret of President Roh Moo-hyun," rebutting the Prime Minister.

Governor Lee wrote, "My first reading of the new year is revisiting 'The Future of Progressivism,' left by President Roh Moo-hyun after his retirement," adding, "My attention stops at the part where he candidly reflected on being 'captured by bureaucrats.' Is there a more vivid account of government bureaucrats trapped in the myth of 'balanced budget'?"

He continued, "As an alternative, he added that 'bureaucracy must be overcome by the temperature of the times,'" emphasizing, "At a time when people are fighting for survival beyond just livelihood issues due to COVID-19 and polarization, what would the President have said?" This is interpreted as a criticism that there is no time to waste on fiscal efficiency debates when urgent support for vulnerable groups is needed.

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