Won Hee-ryong: "We Will Secure a 10 Trillion Won Stabilization Fund to Address Living Costs" [Party Leadership Candidate Interview]④

Won Hee-ryong, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, stated, "Although inflation is currently being brought under control, the public does not feel it," and announced plans to establish a 10 trillion won inflation stabilization fund. On the 9th, Won held an interview with Asia Economy near Gwanghwamun, Seoul, where he said, "We need to address the living costs that the public actually feels." Following the party election management committee's request on the 8th to refrain from negative campaigning, Won has been releasing a series of livelihood pledges such as a 'three-day hybrid workweek' and the abolition of the 'Mobile Device Distribution Structure Improvement Act (Dantongbeop)' and the fixed book price system.

Won Hee-ryong, the candidate for the People Power Party leader, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

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At the first party leadership candidate broadcast debate, you were asked how to solve high interest rates and high inflation. What is your plan?

Currently, there are two inflation stabilization funds: one for reserves and one for discounts. The government recently created 5 trillion won, but I plan to increase it to over 10 trillion won to provide price discounts in areas where high inflation and high interest rates have caused price increases in agricultural products and other basic living necessities. The Democratic Party suggests giving 250,000 won, but distributing money indiscriminately like that would stimulate inflation again. Instead, as food prices rise, people without income sources are going hungry. I believe we need to provide visible support starting with the most vulnerable areas regarding inflation.

You proposed a three-day workweek. Is this a campaign pledge? Have you considered its feasibility?

Yes, it is a campaign pledge. If I become the party leader, I plan to discuss it thoroughly with the government and actively promote it. The idea is to start gradually where it can be implemented immediately. Industries where remote work is impossible because workers cannot leave the site may be left out, but we can compensate with on-site work allowances. The hybrid work system usually involves three days a week, so I based it on that. It’s fine to work two days in the office, with rotating attendance between the metropolitan area and provinces during the rest of the week, and commuting to Hallyeo Waterway (Hallyeohaesang National Park) on weekends. By changing the lifestyle of the entire nation, we can transform the paradigm of work, life, and land use for generations born after the 2000s.

Why should Won be the party leader?

Because we need to make the Yoon Seok-yeol administration successful and recreate the government. I believe I am the most suitable in terms of experience, communication skills, and so on. The current political situation is a complex equation. I can solve it.

The ruling party and government say they will monitor the investigation results of the special prosecutor law on Chae Sang-byeong and push for a special prosecutor law if the investigation is insufficient. Some people are not convinced by the police investigation results announced on the 8th.

Has there ever been a case where all citizens were convinced? I haven’t looked closely, but I understand that the investigation review committee, composed of external members, reached the same conclusion. I will firmly respond to the opposition’s groundless claims. United, we can achieve it.

Won Hee-ryong, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

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Regarding Won’s claim that candidate Han Dong-hoon negotiated nominations with relatives during the general election, Han demanded that Won provide evidence or apologize during the debate. What is your response?

I wouldn’t say anything without evidence. When no one talked about former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, I exposed everything from secret remittances to North Korea, Baekhyeon-dong, and Daejang-dong, including the names of aides who received money from lawmakers behind the scenes, yet I was never sued by Lee. (Han’s side demands an apology) If I lied, I should apologize. Why would I apologize otherwise?

You are trailing candidate Han in party leader opinion polls. Do you think the full text of Kim Geon-hee’s text messages being released could be a positive factor? What is your strategy to win?

It’s not about positive or negative factors. The winning strategy is to do our best to communicate our vision and policies to party members.

You said to candidate Han, "If I had been the emergency committee chairman, such a crushing defeat would not have happened." You also served as a co-chairman of the national election campaign committee. Do you bear no responsibility for the People Power Party’s general election defeat?

All party members, including myself, bear responsibility. However, the degree of responsibility inevitably varies according to each person’s role. I understand that each person’s responsibilities are detailed in the general election white paper.

The general election white paper has been completed but has not yet been published. Do you think it should be released before the party convention?

The white paper is made to be read. The sooner it is read, the sooner necessary corrections can be made. It should be released immediately.

Won Hee-ryong, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is being interviewed by Asia Economy in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

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