Sim Sang-jung: "Lee calls tax increase a leftist notion and self-destructive act"... Lee Jae-myung: "I never said that"

Lee "I never said that, it's fabricated"
Shim "We must honestly disclose symptom plans and move toward a welfare state"

On the 2nd, one week before the 20th presidential election, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, who attended the 3rd invited candidates debate of the 20th presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, are greeting each other. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Joohee Kang] Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, said, "Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, said that tax increases are a leftist notion and an act of self-destruction." In response, Lee denied this, saying, "I never said that."

At the third presidential candidate debate held on the 2nd, hosted by the National Election Commission, when Sim said, "This sounds like something you would hear from Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate," Lee responded, "I never said such a thing; this is fabricated."

Sim reiterated, "It was all reported in the media." She added, "I believe that relying solely on national debt to manage finances during difficult times will not gain public support. We need to honestly present tax increase plans, reach necessary agreements among candidates, appeal to the public, and move toward a welfare state."

The Justice Party's election campaign spokesperson office pointed out that Lee's remarks after the debate were not factual. The campaign office explained, "On December 25 last year, Lee appeared on the YouTube channel Sampro TV and said, 'I am aware that tax increases are an act of self-destruction from the regime's perspective.' Earlier, on the 22nd, he appeared on the radio and said, 'Candidate Sim holds many leftist notions that tax increases are justice.'"

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