Lee Jae-myung "Economic Collapse"... Proposes 250,000 Won Per Person Livelihood Recovery Support Fund

Highlighting 'Economic Mismanagement Theory' in Tough Areas like Songpa and Gangnam, Seoul
After Criticism of 'Also in Gangwon' Remark, "Expression Was Excessive"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited constituencies classified as 'difficult areas' such as Songpa and Gangnam in Seoul to support Democratic Party candidates. He particularly emphasized the 'economic mismanagement theory,' criticizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration for causing economic crises including high inflation.

On the morning of the 24th, Lee visited Jamsil Saemaeul Traditional Market and said, "The household economy has deteriorated significantly over the past two years," adding, "The economy is in a 'total collapse' and prices are skyrocketing." He continued, "Due to the incompetence and failure of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, people's livelihoods and the economy are completely broken," and stressed, "Is it reasonable that even if you work part-time for an hour, you don't earn 10,000 won, but only get an apple for that hour of work?"

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited Jamsil Saemaeul Traditional Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 24th, greeted citizens, and then held an on-site press conference. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "It is time for a 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation' of the livelihood economy that increases consumption through household income support and restarts the stalled economy," and proposed a 'Livelihood Recovery Support Fund' as a solution to the economic crisis. Lee suggested, "To resolve the emergency situation of the livelihood economy, I propose providing 250,000 won per person and an average of 1 million won per household as a 'Livelihood Recovery Support Fund,'" adding, "Let's distribute it as local currency like disaster relief funds."

He continued, "The required budget is about 13 trillion won," and "Compared to the 900 trillion to 1,000 trillion won spent on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's tax cuts for the wealthy and the deceptive populist pledges revealed at the 'Livelihood Discussion without Livelihood' forum, this is just a drop in the bucket." This was interpreted as a criticism of President Yoon's recent 'Livelihood Discussion with the People' policies, labeling them as populist promises.

On the same day, Yong Hye-in, co-chair of the Democratic United Coalition, accompanied Lee during his market visit. The intention was to emphasize the so-called 'all-in Democratic vote theory,' urging voters to support Democratic Party candidates in constituencies and Democratic United Coalition candidates in proportional representation.

In the afternoon, Lee visited the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal and then toured Dongjak-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu to assist Democratic Party candidates' vote-gathering activities.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited Jamsil Saemaeul Traditional Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 24th and greeted by holding hands with Democratic Party candidates Jo Jae-hee (Songpa Gap), Song Ki-ho (Songpa Eul), Nam In-soon (Songpa Byeong), and Democratic United Party proportional representative candidate Yong Hye-in before the on-site press conference. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Lee expressed regret after criticism arose regarding his remarks during a visit to northern Gyeonggi Province the previous day, when asked about the 'Special Autonomous Province plan for northern Gyeonggi.' He had said, "If the division is implemented without financial measures for northern Gyeonggi, it is highly likely to become like Gangwon Province." At Jamsil Saemaeul Traditional Market, Lee told reporters, "I may have exaggerated by saying that northern Gyeonggi could become a region with financial difficulties and development challenges like Gangwon Province, which is a border area," and expressed his regret.

Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, urged an apology to the residents of Gangwon Province during the Central Election Committee meeting that morning, saying, "It seems Lee Jae-myung believes Gyeonggi Province is inferior to Gangwon Province, which is a very arrogant and unreasonable claim."

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