Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized Lee Jae-myung, a candidate in a recent presidential debate focused on economic issues. Kwon stated on Facebook that Lee displayed a lack of specificity in his policies, insisting they would succeed despite criticism. He noted Lee’s contradictory behavior of citing extreme scenarios while advising others against doing so.
Kwon particularly criticized Lee’s insistence on the “hotel economy theory,” describing it as a self-admission of inadequate economic insight. He equated this to a poor imitation of the income-led growth model from the Moon Jae-in administration, dubbing it “no-show-led growth.”
Kwon also highlighted a controversial moment in the debate when Lee mockingly asked candidate Kim Moon-soo, “So, what?” This remark, he argued, was inappropriate for a debate watched by the entire nation, likening it to a drunken street argument.
Kwon pointed out that when Kim implemented a six-month flexible working system as Minister of Employment and Labor, it was partly due to Lee and the Democratic Party opposing an exemption to the 52-hour workweek for semiconductor R&D personnel. He criticized Lee for ridiculing Kim, even when Kim tried to help the sector.
Kwon claimed that Lee’s dismissive attitude towards fellow candidates suggests he would treat the general public with even less regard if elected and concluded by expressing his determination to prevent Lee, who he described as lacking in character and qualifications, from winning the presidency.
During the debate, Lee and Kim clashed over the semiconductor law’s exemption from the 52-hour workweek. When Kim advocated for the necessity of the exemption, Lee challenged him, suggesting that the extension to six months was already a sufficient government measure, leading to Lee’s controversial response, “So, what?”