Sim Sang-jung: "Don't Think of Political Reform as an Election Stunt" Criticizes the Democratic Party

Political Reform by the Ruling Party? "This Time, We Hope for Responsible Implementation"
"If the Democratic Party Is Willing, We Will Cooperate... But It's Not an Electoral Alliance"
"Lee's Economic Pledge, an Inevitable Historical Regression"

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, is appealing for support at a campaign rally held on the 24th at Guro Digital Complex in Guro-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, responded to Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposing a coalition for political reform on the 24th that guarantees a multi-party coalition politics by saying, "We have always led from the front when asked to lead and pushed from behind when asked to push, and we have already submitted all the bills," adding, "Don't think of doing that (political reform) as some kind of election performance."

On the morning of the 25th, Sim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and was asked how he would respond to the so-called anti-Yoon tent that aims to unite everyone except Yoon Seok-youl. He said, "This time, I hope this is not linked to the advantages or disadvantages of the presidential election but that the Democratic Party responsibly practices it as a way to restore its identity."

He also said, "The political reform plan that Leader Song Young-gil mentioned yesterday has always been a pledge of the Democratic Party of Korea since before President Kim Dae-jung," adding, "The problem is that the Democratic Party only talked about it but did not act. During the 20th National Assembly, we tried hard to reform the election system reflecting the desire for candlelight reform, but it was ultimately reverted to the starting point."

He continued, "We welcome (political reform) anytime, and if the Democratic Party truly has the will to do it, of course, we will cooperate," adding, "The problem is that the Democratic Party just needs to do well." When asked if this meant an electoral alliance, he replied, "Of course," and dismissed the question by saying, "Isn't there already a precedent?"

Sim said, "For 15 years, they claimed and did not practice it, and we lent our strength, paying a lot of social costs to make it happen, but they betrayed it to protect their vested interests," criticizing, "So, the very idea of asking us to promise something together now is absurd."

He added, "They have presented this for elections every time, so wouldn't the sincerity have been greatly damaged?" emphasizing, "Reflecting on those parts, I really hope the Democratic Party firmly carries out political reform as much as they say."

Regarding Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate's economic pledges such as achieving KOSPI 5000 and revitalizing virtual assets, Sim criticized, "Now, interest rates inevitably have to rise, but continuing to stimulate economic revival is completely going backward."

Sim said, "For those who bought houses by 영끌 (borrowing to the limit), how to handle their interest burden, managing bubbles, and transitioning need to be addressed, but everything is going in the opposite direction. That is definitely not a competent president," arguing, "If this goes wrong, historical regression is inevitable, inequality will deepen, and national competitiveness may deteriorate."

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