Sim Sang-jung "No One Submitted Financial Plans for Policy Pledges... Everyone Lacks Conscience"

"They don't even pay that and just go around making empty promises"

On the 2nd, one week before the 20th presidential election, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, attended the 3rd invited candidates debate for the 20th presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, preparing for the debate with a relaxed expression. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Joohee Kang] Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, criticized on the 2nd, saying, "I am the only one who has presented a fiscal plan," and "If you still haven't provided a fiscal estimate in your pledge book, you have no conscience."

On the same day, at the 3rd presidential candidate debate hosted by the National Election Commission, Candidate Sim pointed out that no one had submitted a fiscal plan when releasing their policy pledge books, saying, "I must say this to the candidates."

When Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party presidential candidate, and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, argued that they had submitted one, Sim responded, "That was only part of the manifesto, but it is not in the policy pledge book."

Candidate Sim criticized the candidates, saying, "Previous candidates submitted fiscal plans in their policy pledge books, albeit insufficiently," and "Now they are selling pledges without even submitting those."

Then, Candidate Sim asked Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, "In difficult times, shouldn't we raise taxes on the wealthy?" Yoon replied, "If necessary, we can raise taxes and issue government bonds, but the principle is expenditure restructuring," adding, "Including the annual 27 trillion won from natural tax revenue increases, the total amount I have allocated for welfare in my entire pledge is about 266 trillion won." Sim interrupted, saying, "That's a lie." Yoon then retorted angrily, "Don't say that," and challenged, "If you have no basis, bring data and talk. This is not a place to say anything without data." Candidate Sim requested, "Then please provide the data."

When Candidate Sim asked Candidate Lee about tax cuts but no plan for tax increases, Lee responded, "I have no plan to raise taxes. I am stating this clearly."

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