Lee Jae-myung Accuses Government and Ruling PPP of Being an “Evil Stepmother” for Not Showing Interest in Passing the Budget

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung attends a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the National Assembly on November 28. Yonhap News

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea said on November 28, “The government and the ruling party (People Power Party) seem like an evil stepmother, who doesn’t care whether the child dies or not and is only interested in her property.”

Lee made the statement in a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the National Assembly on Monday, and added, “The deadline for passing the budget (Dec. 2) is approaching, yet the government and ruling party don’t seem to be in a hurry at all.” He further said, “The attitude that the government and ruling party are showing is one that seems intent on blaming the opposition party for everything, whether we (opposition) pass the original proposal or not, putting into effect a provisional budget.”

The Democratic Party leader argued that he could never agree to the budget for the police bureau and for tax cuts for the ultra-rich and said, “Instead of choosing between the original budget proposal and a provisional budget (a tentative budget, which conforms to the budget of the previous year, prepared when the budget is not finalized before the deadline), we will exercise the right that we have and keep the Democratic Party’s revised budget proposal, which might not have increased the budget but did manage to cut unrightful spending, as an option.”

Lee described the Basic Pension reduction policy for couples as an “immoral policy” and called for it to be abolished. He explained, “People can receive the Basic Pension when they are of age and eligible, but if the married couple lives together, the amount is reduced,” and argued, “Cutting state support just because a couple lives together is an immoral budget.” Lee continued and said, “If we amend the law (Pension Act) and reduce the budget for tax cuts for the rich, it’s only 1.6 trillion won, so we can abolish the Basic Pension cutbacks for couples if we just put our minds to it.”

On Monday, which marked a month since the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush, Lee also announced that he would hold Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min responsible. He said, “No one, not the prime minister, minister, police commissioner, not even the president is acknowledging responsibility.” He argued, “Conducting an investigation and arresting and punishing the people who committed the crime is not the only way to hold someone responsible,” and asked, “Is arresting police officers, firefighters and civil servants on the field and holding them responsible really being accountable for the Itaewon disaster?” Lee announced, “It is now time for the Democratic Party to step up and hold the rightful people responsible.”