Sim Sang-jung "Welcome the Ruling Party's Political Reform Pledge... But It Should Not Be Linked to This Presidential Election"

On the 24th, Song Young-gil's Proposal for a 'Unified Government' Receives Response from Sim Sang-jung
Sim: "Political Reform Has Been a Long-Standing Pledge Since DJ's Era... The Problem Is Not Keeping It"
"Lee, Who Says He Can't Form a Unified Government with Yoon, Is Undermining the Meaning of Unity"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 24th, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, expressed support for the 'Unified Government' proposal put forward by Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "I welcome that such a political reform pledge has been made, albeit belatedly."

On the same day, during an on-site campaign in Guro Digital Complex, Seoul, Candidate Sim said, "Today, Leader Song proposed creating a political reform and unified government for a great transformation of the Republic of Korea. He made good proposals such as introducing a presidential runoff voting system, changing the mixed-member proportional representation electoral system, and adopting a large electoral district system in the upcoming local elections."

He added, "However, there is something that needs to be made clear. The political reform pledges mentioned by Leader Song have actually been the Democratic Party's pledges for a long time, starting from former President Kim Dae-jung (DJ). The problem is not that the pledges were made, but that these long-standing pledges were not kept. Moreover, during the first half of the Moon Jae-in administration, the Justice Party and I put all our efforts into electoral reform, which was then overturned. Isn't that the real issue?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Sim addressed Leader Song and Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, saying, "There is no need to check with the Justice Party. We have already submitted all related bills to the National Assembly's Political Reform Special Committee," and added, "There is no need to delay any further; the bills should be thoroughly discussed and passed in the committee."

He emphasized, "I say this with some concern: please do not link the creation of a unified government with this presidential election."

He continued, "If the idea is to gain an electoral advantage by linking it to this election, then it truly lacks sincerity. I hope that based on deep reflection on the failure to keep political reform promises made 15 years ago, political reform will be steadily realized. The Justice Party will always lend its support on that path," he asserted.

Regarding candidate Lee, he said, "I understand your sentiment when you say you cannot form a (National Unity Government) with candidate Yoon," but added, "However, saying you can work with some but not with others undermines the meaning of unity."

He urged, "I sincerely ask you to make greater efforts to seek consent and coordinate with the People Power Party, the main opposition party and one of the two major parties."

Meanwhile, earlier that morning, Leader Song announced the 'National Unity Political Reform Plan,' which centers on forming a National Unity National Assembly and government, decentralization, and cooperation. Leader Song appealed to opposition candidates such as Ahn Cheol-soo, Sim Sang-jung, and Kim Dong-yeon, saying, "Let us all find better reform plans and better ways to guarantee implementation, and join forces to realize them." He explained, "We will institutionalize the procedure of recommending the Prime Minister through bipartisan agreement and legalize the Prime Minister's personnel appointment process. We will form a national cabinet with the best figures beyond political camps and reform the government from the Blue House government to a cabinet government."

However, candidate Lee appeared on BBS Radio that morning and said, "I believe a unified government or coalition government must be formed," adding, "Except for People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl, let's find ways for all political forces genuinely aiming to improve the lives of the people to cooperate within the possible scope."

He said to candidates Ahn and Sim, "There is almost no difference between your statements on political change and the necessity of a coalition government," but regarding candidate Yoon, he drew a clear line, saying, "Judging from his campaign, remarks, and actions, he is frighteningly old-fashioned, dichotomous, violent, and inconsistent. I cannot work with such a person."

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