Minju: "Northern Gyeonggi Division Not Opposed... Financial Investment Tax Under Review"

The Democratic Party of Korea stated that it will announce the party's position at an appropriate time regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon's plan for the 'Special Autonomous Province of Northern Gyeonggi.' Party leader Lee Jae-myung expressed regret after raising concerns about the possibility of 'degradation to Gangwon Province' and facing criticism for 'disparaging Gangwon Province.'

On the 24th, Kim Min-seok, the Democratic Party's Situation Room Chief, said at a press briefing held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "We are preparing to organize our position on the division of Gyeonggi and the Gimpo issue and announce it at an appropriate time." When asked about Lee Jae-myung's expression of concern that the division of Gyeonggi could lead to degradation to Gangwon Province, he replied, "Leader Lee seems to have expressed it excessively, contrary to the original intent."

On the morning of the 20th, Kim Min-seok, the Situation Room Chief, is speaking at the event announcing the Democratic Party's 10 major promises to overcome the climate crisis and realize the RE100 nation, held at the Democratic Party Central Office in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Deputy Chief Kwon Hyuk-ki also explained, "We have never expressed opposition to the division, and the party's official stance has not been decided," adding, "Opposition to the division is not true, and I understand that Leader Lee personally supports a 'gradual division theory.'"

On the previous day, Leader Lee, during a visit to the northern Gyeonggi region, said, "If the division is implemented without measures for the finances of Northern Gyeonggi, there is a high possibility it will degrade to a Gangwon Province-like status," which sparked criticism of 'disparaging Gangwon Province.' In response, Leader Lee said, "I think my expression that (Northern Gyeonggi) could become a region with financial difficulties and development challenges like Gangwon Province, which is a border area, was excessive," and expressed regret.

The Democratic Party stated that it is "reviewing" the People Power Party's pledge to abolish the financial investment income tax (Geumtu Tax). Policy Headquarters Chief Jeong Tae-ho said, "The Geumtu Tax was agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties from the perspective of tax fairness," and added, "We are reviewing what would be desirable in the current situation."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Democratic Party unveiled its general election policy manifesto centered on the 'Vertical Improvement of Quality of Life' policy. The manifesto includes ten core tasks under four major visions: livelihood recovery, future growth, national protection, and peace restoration. These tasks cover strengthening the competitiveness of small business owners and self-employed individuals, prioritizing public safety, innovative growth and balanced development, addressing the climate crisis, and transitioning to renewable energy. Kim Min-seok, Situation Room Chief, explained, "We aimed to discover and include policies that the public most desires and that can immediately change the difficult lives of the people."

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