[Yeouido Interview] Sung Il-jong, Who Advocated 'Conservatism for the Vulnerable'... Now Engaged in Fukushima Rumor War

Yoon Suk-yeol Government's First Ruling Party Policy Chief
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Yoon Government, A Government for the Vulnerable

Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, cited the passage of the 'Delivery Price Linkage System' as the most meaningful legislative activity during the 21st National Assembly. This was the first bill he handled after becoming the policy chief of the ruling party under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The Delivery Price Linkage System is a mechanism that ensures fluctuations in raw material prices are reflected in delivery prices between primary contractors and subcontractors, a long-standing demand of small and medium-sized enterprises and the venture industry for 14 years.

However, there was significant opposition within the party. Globally, there are few legislative precedents related to the Delivery Price Linkage System, and the business community voiced concerns that mandating the reflection of raw material price changes in delivery prices could lead to higher final product prices, thereby increasing consumer harm. Since 'protection of the weak' has traditionally been seen as the exclusive domain of the progressive camp, there were also worries that the party's support base might turn away.

In response, then-policy chief Seong personally persuaded party members and leadership, leading the bill's passage at the forefront. In a recent interview with Asia Economy, Seong explained the legislative intent, saying, "Those who are powerful and have authority have the strength to survive on their own without anyone's help. However, socially vulnerable groups face significant restrictions if the state's systems or laws do not provide sufficient space for them to operate."

He added, "When I started in politics, I thought a lot about who I would serve and which social class's problems I would solve. I believed politics should be for the weak and should play a role in balancing the powerful and the weak. That is the mission of a politician," emphasizing his point.

Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. (Photo by Seong Il-jong's office)

He further stated, "Balancing is conservatism," and "Because the Yoon Seok-yeol government is a government for the weak, the policies I pursued as policy chief were able to gain traction." He added, "The president is someone who wants to provide the most welfare and consideration for the weak."

Alongside the Delivery Price Linkage System, Seong also demanded a reduction in the interest rate margin in the banking sector and focused on policies protecting socially vulnerable groups, such as promoting emergency living stabilization support funds. In May 2021, together with People Power Party member Jeong Un-cheon, he became the first conservative party lawmaker to be invited by the 5·18 Bereaved Families Association to attend the 5·18 Memorial Ceremony. Subsequently, the 5·18 Democratization Movement Merit Association awarded Seong the 1st Republic of Korea 5·18 Democracy Grand Prize, recognizing his political activities as embodying the spirit of 5·18, which contributes to the development of democracy through reconciliation and forgiveness.

Below is a key Q&A with Representative Seong.

-There is a stereotype that conservatives only pursue policies for the wealthy.

=Our party, having focused on growth during the industrialization process in the past, admittedly overlooked issues like human rights and the environment. It is true that this gave the impression of neglecting the weak, but that is not the whole story. The true value of conservatism is to support the weak, prepare for the future, and promote human rights and freedom. Prioritizing job creation and contributing significantly to national wealth might have made it seem like we ignored these issues, but it is not about serving only the rich. The Yoon Seok-yeol government advocates welfare for the weak, and the People Power Party is no different. Those who are powerful and have authority have the strength to survive without help, but socially vulnerable groups face significant restrictions if the state's systems or laws do not provide sufficient space for them. True conservatism pursues values that grow businesses to create a trickle-down effect while simultaneously improving wages and welfare to sustain society and the nation. Balancing is conservatism.

-Why do you frequently mention financial policies for the weak?

=As the Bank of Korea's base interest rate rose, self-employed individuals and 'young investors with maximum loans' faced crises. The financial sector consists of primary and secondary financial institutions. Secondary financial institutions claim to serve the weak but set higher loan interest rates. Even for the same financial product, if one lacks creditworthiness, the interest rate increases, so a solution was needed. I considered how to reduce interest rates and was told it could be done through a fund. I proposed creating a 'cliff fund' to support people even if they fall off the last cliff, meaning the state would be there for them. Although we introduced products with partially reduced interest rates through emergency living stabilization support funds, bureaucrats who only focused on the interest rate system prevented full implementation. This is a regrettable part.

Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. (Photo by Seong Il-jong's office)

-You also led the voluntary withdrawal of the Cargo Solidarity strike. How did you achieve this?

=The Cargo Solidarity involves three stages: cargo owners, transport companies, and leased vehicle owners. Leased vehicle owners purchase vehicles worth 200 million to 300 million KRW, then pay 20 to 30 million KRW to the transport company to obtain license plates for operation, plus monthly rent of 200,000 to 300,000 KRW. They work 15 hours a day and pay 5 to 6 million KRW annually. However, the license plate rental fees and monthly rent, which should be paid to the transport companies managing the logistics system, were found to have been deposited into personal accounts. The government rents operation license plates to transport companies to normalize and properly operate the logistics system, but certain individuals were receiving this money. This was effectively embezzlement and tax evasion. Once investigations began, order started to be restored. I believe the voluntary withdrawal of the Cargo Solidarity strike is the most symbolic and successful case of reform under the Yoon Seok-yeol government.

-Regarding the local issue of Seosan Airport, which was excluded from the preliminary feasibility study exemption project and is being re-pursued, what is the outlook?

=If the project re-planning research is completed by this fall, it seems possible to proceed without a preliminary feasibility study. The previous exclusion was due to shortcomings during the Q&A process with the SOC subcommittee. It scored 0.4 out of 0.5 points. There is no need to worry too much.

People Power Party Our Sea Protection TF Chairman: "Democrats Must Present Scientific Evidence on Contaminated Water Rumors"

"Busy citizens can easily worry when they hear rumors. That is why the words and actions of politicians and socially responsible people are important. The standard for politicians' judgment must be science."

Seong Il-jong of the People Power Party said, "Due to rumors about Fukushima contaminated water created by the Democratic Party, seafood consumption has decreased, harming our fishermen, and even salt hoarding has occurred, which is very regrettable."

Seong chairs the People Power Party's Our Sea Protection Verification Task Force (TF). Having founded the environmental and energy company Enviocons in 1999 and served as an adjunct professor at Korea University's Green School Graduate School before entering politics, he is regarded as an in-house expert well-versed in the Fukushima contaminated water treatment process.

Seong criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "It seems they cannot let go of memories from the mad cow disease battles. They rely solely on their support base and try to damage the Yoon Seok-yeol government whenever an issue arises, without any concern for the country or understanding of science." This was a direct critique of the Democratic Party's large-scale outdoor protests against the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water on the 1st and some lawmakers' ongoing hunger strikes.

Seong also criticized the Democratic Party for creating public fear without scientific evidence. According to him, the Japanese government removes most radioactive nuclides from Fukushima contaminated water using the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), except for tritium. Tritium is hydrogen that is three times heavier than ordinary hydrogen. Seong explained, "Tritium exists in the rice we eat and the water we drink. Outside the atmosphere, enormous amounts of tritium come from the sun and fall into the ocean as it returns to Earth." He added, "There is no scientific evidence that tritium is chemically toxic or harmful to the human body. However, exposure to large amounts may cause cancer, so scientific analysis is necessary."

Regarding the Democratic Party's doubts about the credibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, Seong said, "We are a member country, and even Korean doctors are dispatched to the agency. If we cannot trust it, what can we trust? Our Sea Protection Verification TF will also examine whether the contaminated water verified by the IAEA is safe for our citizens. If they question the investigation itself, it can only be interpreted as a politically motivated approach rooted in anti-Japanese sentiment and nuclear fear."

Seong pointed out, "If the Democratic Party wants to raise issues now, they should clearly present evidence on which nuclides are not filtered from the contaminated water, how much the unfiltered nuclides exceed standards, and what is wrong under international law. Without such evidence, it will be seen as an attempt to cover up the legal risks of leader Lee Jae-myung or to gain favor ahead of next year's parliamentary elections."

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