Lee Jae-myung, in First Meeting After COVID Return, Mentions "Meoksanism"

Emphasis on the Need for Livelihood Recovery Support Fund
Focus Expected on Bipartisan Leaders' Meeting

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was hospitalized for treatment after testing positive for COVID-19, emphasized 'Meoksanism' and the Livelihood Recovery Support Fund at his first meeting since returning.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 28th, through the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee said, "The livelihood economy is difficult. Real wages have decreased, and consumption has contracted due to continued high interest rates," adding, "There is a lot of public concern ahead of Chuseok." He continued, "The Democratic Party will push the regional currency amendment bill as a party bill," emphasizing, "In my experience, regional currency is the most efficient fiscal policy made so far."

Along with Meoksanism, which he brought up during the party convention, he pressured the ruling party to accept the special measure law for the nationwide 250,000 won Livelihood Recovery Support Fund (the 250,000 won support law). The 250,000 won support law, which returned to the National Assembly after President Yoon Seok-yeol exercised his veto power, is about to be re-voted on. Lee said, "(The Livelihood Recovery Support Fund) is being misrepresented as if the ruling party is giving cash, but it is actually giving consumption coupons," and added, "We ask the People Power Party to join the Meoksanism politics as well."

Lee tested positive for COVID-19 from the 22nd until the day before and received inpatient treatment. Even during hospitalization, he instructed to prepare measures regarding the controversy over the removal of the Dokdo sculpture, the medical crisis, and deepfake sex crimes. Following Lee’s instructions, the Democratic Party formed the 'Special Committee for the Truth Investigation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Government’s Dokdo Erasure Allegations' and the 'Special Committee for Medical Crisis Countermeasures,' among others.

Upon discharge the day before, Lee emphasized internal unity. This is interpreted as an effort to heal the crossfire directed at the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction during the party convention process. Through social networking services (SNS), Lee said, "I am very worried because voices of division calling for excluding someone with extreme language are heard from some," adding, "Division is the cause of defeat. The muzzle should always be pointed outward."

Going forward, Lee is expected to focus on talks with Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party. The two parties are reportedly narrowing the gap on agenda items such as the abolition of the financial investment income tax, the nationwide Livelihood Recovery Support Fund, and the medical crisis. Lee Hae-sik, chief secretary to the Democratic Party leader, said at a briefing on the 26th, "The gap between the agendas proposed by us and the other side (People Power Party) is too wide," adding, "Since the talks are a promise to the public, we will patiently try to narrow the distance."

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