[Full Text] Kim Dong-yeon "Let Presidents and Presidential Candidates Gather for a Roundtable to Overcome the COVID Economic Crisis"

"Populism, Do Not Deceive the People with Slogans That Lack Practical Feasibility"

Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and presidential pre-candidate Kim Dong-yeon is clapping his hands while attending the Chungnam Provincial Party Founding Convention held at Noblesse Convention Wedding Hall in Nonsan, Chungnam, on the afternoon of the 4th. 2021.12.4 [Provided by Kim Dong-yeon Camp. Resale and DB prohibited] [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon proposed on the 19th, through his acceptance speech as the inaugural party leader of Saerounmulgyeol (New Wave), to hold a "roundtable meeting to overcome the COVID-19 economic crisis" involving the president and all presidential candidates before the end of this year.

Kim said, "As one of the presidential candidates, I officially propose to the president and the presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties," adding, "Let us discuss together the crisis response measures that candidates are competitively presenting at that meeting."

He emphasized, "Let's create a unified plan, have it approved by the parties and the National Assembly, and execute it as swiftly as possible," and also stressed, "Let's stop misleading the public with populism and slogans that are not feasible."

He further stated, "I request the president to respond positively to this proposal first," and said, "I believe the president will give a positive answer to send a message of hope to the people during this grave time and to overcome the crisis through bipartisan cooperation."

Below is the full text of the acceptance speech for the party leader position.

Full text of the acceptance speech for the party leader of ‘Saerounmulgyeol’

One hundred days ago today, I officially declared my candidacy for president alone.

It was a solitary journey. There was not a single politician by my side, nor did I have money or an organization.

But today, I am not alone.

There are those who responded to my voice crying out alone in the wilderness,

and those who share the conviction that South Korea cannot continue as it is,

are here with me today.

They are also joining via internet live broadcasts and metaverse platforms.

Within just a month, five metropolitan district parties were established,

and about 7,000 party members and comrades have taken action together.

There are citizens who share our cause even from unseen places.

I want to ask the people.

To the voters who support the candidates of the two major parties who advocate for regime change at all costs or unconditional regime continuation,

I want to ask you.

Is South Korea functioning properly right now?

Will South Korea change just because one of the two candidates becomes president?

Can you find any vision for national management or

a genuine concern for the country's future in either candidate?

Aren't they discussing ‘governing the country (治國)’ without ‘self-cultivation (修身)’ or ‘family regulation (齊家)’?

Aren't they busy explaining and apologizing daily for personal and family issues?

Are you supporting one side just because you dislike the other?

South Korea is now

collapsing due to the entrenched two-party structure of vested interests.

I ask the people again. Which path will you choose?

Will you deepen populism and the vested interest political structure to gain votes,

and drive the country into an even more difficult crisis?

Or will you join the many citizens who worry about the country's future and gather collective intelligence

to take the path of reform?

Today, ‘Saerounmulgyeol’ is founding a central party to help South Korea choose the right path. We are founding it for change and reform through collective intelligence of citizens and a ‘bottom-up rebellion.’

People say,

“Can that be done?”

They call it a reckless challenge. They say it’s like ‘throwing eggs at a rock.’

They say nothing can be done without entering the existing political circles.

Almost every politician I met, without exception,

agreed wholeheartedly with political reform of vested interests and a bottom-up rebellion,

but all remain within the major parties.

Party members, comrades, and citizens who care about the country!

There is a difficult path, but it is the path we must take.

We know it is hard, but it is the right path we must follow.

Let us walk that path together.

Let us decide with patriotism that this cannot continue as it is, and act.

‘Saerounmulgyeol’ will create three major currents.

First, a wave that sweeps away corruption.

Through this presidential election, the entire nation has confirmed how firmly vested interests and corruption are entrenched in our society. Eliminating corruption alone will create countless opportunities. We can save tens of trillions of won annually. We will return this to the people. We will increase investment in welfare and people. Next year, we will make it the inaugural year of anti-corruption to end corruption in South Korea.

Second, a wave that breaks down the dam of vested interests and creates more and fairer opportunities.

Look at the policies we have announced so far: civil service reform, balanced national development, education reform, real estate tax reform, power structure reorganization. We do not follow existing frameworks and forms. We have proposed policies that change new frameworks and structures.

These are not repetitive, flashy, showy policies or slogans repeated every election season. We will propose policies that change social structures and bring real change. We will propose policies to create a country overflowing with opportunities in jobs, education, and real estate.

Third, a wave that changes the vested two-party politics.

Politics is often called a muddy swamp. To clean this swamp, we must sweep it away with a new wave. ‘Saerounmulgyeol’ will launch as a citizen-participatory party where farmers, fishermen, self-employed, entrepreneurs, youth, civil society, academia, and cultural and artistic sectors can participate, not the established political circles.

While creating realistic and rational policy alternatives,

more people who want to change the vested two-party system will join.

When that happens, the new wave, which is now just a ripple,

will grow bigger day by day. It will become a big wave, a great tide.

Please join forces to create that wave.

Party members, comrades, and citizens!

Nearly two years of the ‘COVID-19 crisis’ have plunged people’s lives into hardship, but powerless politics offers no hope.

The return to normal life has failed, and the streetlights are going out one by one.

This cannot continue. In this national crisis, there is no ruling or opposition, no friend or foe.

During the IMF crisis, it was also a presidential election period, but

all factions and the entire nation united to overcome the crisis.

As one of the presidential candidates,

I officially propose to the president and the presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties.

Before the end of this year, let us hold a

involving the president and all presidential candidates.

Let us discuss together the crisis response measures that candidates are competitively presenting at that meeting. Let us create a unified plan, have it approved by the parties and the National Assembly, and execute it as swiftly as possible.

Let us stop misleading the public with populism and slogans that are not feasible.

First, I will present practical alternatives to overcome the crisis.

As an expert who has long been responsible for economic management and national finances,

I will take the lead in creating feasible measures.

I request the president to respond positively to this proposal first.

To send a message of hope to the people during this grave time,

and to overcome the crisis through bipartisan cooperation,

I believe the president will give a positive answer.

Party members, comrades, and citizens!

Today’s founding of the ‘Saerounmulgyeol’ central party would have been impossible without the voluntary participation of party members and comrades and the ‘bottom-up rebellion.’

I ask everyone to express your gratitude and encouragement with applause.

And today, trusting in the deep trust and righteous passion of party members and comrades,

I gladly accept the position of inaugural party leader of ‘Saerounmulgyeol.’

I deeply thank the party members and comrades for the infinite trust you have given me.

Now, as the party leader of ‘Saerounmulgyeol,’ with a renewed determination,

I will do my best during the remaining presidential election period.

Now we begin a great journey.

Let us change the rotten politics of South Korea.

Let us change the frustrating political scene and replace political forces.

Let us dismantle all vested interest structures that suppress the lives of the people.

Let us make South Korea from a ‘Republic of vested interests’ into a ‘Land of Opportunity.’

Let us all join this historic journey.

Please become comrades walking the same path together.

Thank you.

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