[Interview] Kim Dong-yeon, who debated with Lee and Yoon on a 'winning move'... "Let's put our heads together on Korea's agenda instead of negativity"

Kim Dong-yeon "Welcome Positive Response to Lee Jae-myung's Meeting Proposal... Let's Include Yoon Seok-youl"
Urgent Discussion Needed on South Korea's Livelihood Issues
Proposed Topics Include Small Business Compensation, Youth, Real Estate, and Major Power Structure Reforms

Presidential candidate Kim Dong-yeon. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Kim Dong-yeon, the presidential candidate of the New Wave party, stated on the 24th, "I welcome Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, for responding positively to the proposal for a presidential candidate meeting," and added, "It would be good if Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, also participates in addressing livelihood issues." He also mentioned that if candidate Yoon does not respond, a one-on-one debate could be held.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 24th, Kim emphasized the need to create a forum to discuss this year's presidential election agenda. He said, "Issues related to the personal and family corruption of candidates should be disclosed by each candidate to the public for the people to judge, and we should discuss urgent national issues." He then listed key discussion topics including compensation for small business losses, youth issues, real estate, and constitutional amendments including major reforms of the power structure.

Earlier, on the 21st, Kim proposed a meeting through an emergency press conference. At that time, he introduced this proposal as a jibusangso (持斧上疏) addressed to the people. Jibusangso is a type of petition carried out while bearing an axe, meaning "if you do not accept this, strike my head," which starkly shows how solemnly Kim made this proposal.

Presidential candidate Kim Dong-yeon. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

From the moment he announced his candidacy, Kim has particularly emphasized the necessity of common pledges. He explained, "When I declared my candidacy, I mentioned a citizens' council to promote common pledges, and if such consultations are possible, it does not matter who becomes president," adding, "The elected candidate should strongly push forward, and the losing candidates should assist in that matter." This means that even amid partisan conflicts, national agendas can move toward consensus.

He said, "There are many tasks to reform, but even if we focus on a few issues like real estate and power structure reform, we should try to gather opinions for the future of the Republic of Korea," and added, "If the two candidates (Lee and Yoon) debate, it is likely to devolve into negativity over Daejang-dong, prosecution requests, and family corruption, but if I join, it can become a productive policy discussion that solves livelihood issues."

Even if the presidential election is likened to a war, he proposes setting a minimum number of common pledges to guide the future of Korea and holding the election based on an agreement on these.

Kim said, "First, we should solve the issues that need to be addressed during the presidential election phase through this, and also discuss the vision for five years ahead," adding, "I want to change the election agenda even if it is through this." He said, "Real estate issues are of utmost concern, so we need to find the most reasonable alternatives, and power structure issues are ultimately related to the vision of the new government. If candidates can narrow their opinions on these matters, it would be good."

He also emphasized flexibility regarding the format. Kim said, "Let's meet and talk without any preparation, whether on broadcast or otherwise," and "Let's discuss national agendas and so forth."

Presidential candidate Kim Dong-yeon. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He said, "Negative attacks among presidential candidates are rampant, but no one has criticized or been negative except on policies," and added, "Considering that, I can mediate and propose realistic alternatives, and if those are accepted, we can solve the difficult livelihood issues of the people."

Regarding this proposal, Kim said, "Regardless of who becomes president, the elected candidate should strongly push forward, and the losing candidates should assist in that matter."

Regarding the ruling and opposition parties moving toward expanding the government's supplementary budget, Kim proposed a solution to "restructure the constituency projects of lawmakers to secure funding." He said, "The two candidates (Lee and Yoon) talked about a supplementary budget of up to 50 trillion won but did not discuss specific funding plans," adding, "Ultimately, they are suggesting issuing government bonds and borrowing." Kim said, "Out of this year's 607 trillion won budget, about half is discretionary spending, so let's secure 30 trillion won, which is 10%, through restructuring lawmakers' constituency projects." He added, "If that is insufficient, we can issue government bonds but reduce the increase in next year's budget accordingly to repay it," and said, "This way, fiscal soundness is not harmed at all."

He said, "This is how fiscal authorities and public officials will move," and added, "If you just tell public officials to borrow 50 trillion or 100 trillion won without this, the budget will not be released." This means that the burden on fiscal authorities and public officials, who would have to bear the responsibility of issuing government bonds for the urgently needed supplementary budget, should be alleviated.

However, Kim explained, "I am making this claim to prepare for the increased suffering of small business owners and self-employed people due to the spread of Omicron," and added, "Since this crisis is not expected to end with just this one time, we want to create ammunition to prepare for the future."

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