Although there is no 'Myeongchu' alliance... Defending, echoing, and a 'one-way' response

Choo Mi-ae "Negative Campaign on Resigning Governor Position, Too Petty"
Lee Jae-myung "Actively Welcome Proposal to Merge with Open Democratic Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] "The fact that they are engaging in negativity and mind games over the issue of resigning from the gubernatorial position is just too petty for the ruling party, it's absurd," said former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae on KBS Radio on the 11th.

She directed her remarks at former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is demanding Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung to resign, saying, "If he has stepped down as party leader, he should propose reform legislation or something like that. Bringing up another candidate's gubernatorial position to stir up controversy and lead negativity is extremely irresponsible."

Although both sides deny the existence of the so-called ‘Myeong-Choo’ (Lee Jae-myung - Choo Mi-ae) alliance, they have shown similar perspectives on various issues and have become allies, as seen in the controversy over the resignation from the gubernatorial position. In the current primary election with six candidates, if no one wins a majority and a runoff between the first and second place candidates takes place, the ‘Myeong-Choo alliance’ could be a major variable. Former Minister Choo is polling around 3rd to 4th place among the six Democratic Party primary candidates in various surveys.

Regarding the merger proposal with the Open Democratic Party that former Minister Choo suggested on the 9th, Governor Lee responded, "It is a timely and good proposal. I actively welcome it." There is a common ground between the Open Democratic Party, Governor Lee, and former Minister Choo in that they show relatively stronger reformist tendencies.

Both Governor Lee and former Minister Choo have also expressed the need to reconsider the agreement to hand over the chairmanship of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee to the People Power Party after the presidential election. In contrast, former leader Lee Nak-yeon has stated that the leadership’s judgment and bipartisan agreement should be respected, showing a contrasting stance. Reform-minded lawmakers within the Democratic Party are opposing this, arguing that if the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is handed over, reform bills will be hindered.

Above all, Governor Lee and former Minister Choo share similarities in their key pledges. Governor Lee has pledged to establish a land holding tax as a source of funding for his flagship basic income policy. The explanation is that most citizens will receive more money through basic income than they pay in land holding tax, but a small number of wealthy real estate owners may face increased burdens.

Former Minister Choo announced ‘land rent reform’ as her number one pledge, stating that she would strengthen real estate holding taxes centered on land. She plans to convert the comprehensive real estate tax into a land holding tax and distribute the increased tax revenue to the public as social dividends. She uses the same term as Governor Lee’s pledge, and the structure and concept are similarly understood.

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