Lee Jae-myung Launches Continuous Fierce Attacks on Oh Se-hoon Over 'Anshim Income' Claim

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has been continuously criticizing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's 'Ansim Income' policy.

On the 30th, Lee posted on Facebook titled "Is it the party deceiving the people, or the mayor deceiving the citizens?" stating, "Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, recognized for his political and economic insight in Korean politics, introduced basic income as the People Power Party's number one policy and showed outward signs of change by visiting the May 18th cemetery for the first time, leading to a landslide victory in the by-election. However, behind the scenes, by insulting the May 18th merit recipients, spitting on graves, and criticizing basic income, the sincerity of the opposition party (People Power Party) is zero," he criticized.

He continued, "Mayor Oh Se-hoon is a member of the People Power Party and became Seoul mayor through the party's nomination, yet he advocates for Ansim Income, which is completely opposite to basic income, being discriminatory, unfair, conflict-inducing, and economically ineffective," delivering a direct blow.

In particular, he said, "The difference between basic income and Ansim Income in terms of policy effects such as public satisfaction, income redistribution, economic recovery, fairness, and equity is clear when comparing the first disaster relief fund universally paid through local currency and the second to fourth disaster relief funds selectively paid in cash," adding, "The first support fund universally paid through local currency was only 13 trillion won but had a much greater economic effect than the 40 trillion won worth of the second to fourth support funds, which the public has felt, due to the forced consumption and multiplier effect caused by local currency."

Lee then questioned, "In the party politics of the Republic of Korea, since the party's number one pledge and the party member's number one policy contradict each other, is the People Power Party deceiving the people, or is the mayor deceiving the citizens of Seoul?"

He further pressured, "There is no answer on how to secure the 17 trillion won budget for Ansim Income, which supports 50% of low-income Seoul citizens annually with half the difference between median income and actual income in cash, only talking about 'sophisticated design.' I urge you to present a plan to secure about 17 trillion won to pay an average of 3.4 million won each to 5 million people in the lower 50%, even if it is 'rough.'"

Additionally, he indirectly criticized, saying, "Surely you are not thinking of appealing to Seoul citizens in the upper 50% income bracket by saying, 'Since the lower 50% citizens do not earn much, let's pay income support by paying an additional 3.4 million won per person annually in taxes,' right?"

Earlier, on the 28th, Lee criticized, "Mayor Oh's Ansim Income is a shortsighted remedy unsuitable for the era of low growth and polarization."

On the following day, the 29th, he also pointed out, "It would be good if you could reveal how you plan to secure the estimated 17 trillion won budget for Ansim Income in Seoul alone (about 85 trillion won nationwide). Only then will the suspicion that Ansim Income is a hollow promise deceiving citizens be resolved."

In response, Mayor Oh countered, "(Governor Lee Jae-myung) is nothing more than a wrapping that rationalizes cash handouts by calling it basic income." He also argued, "Distributing the same amount to both the rich and the poor actually goes against resolving polarization," and "If done properly, the budget cannot be managed."

Mayor Oh emphasized, "(The Ansim Income I advocate) minimizes additional budget burdens, stimulates work motivation, and supports those in need more so that they can grow into the middle class," adding, "It is a special remedy for resolving polarization."

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