▲ Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 43rd Daegu on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party’s Daegu office in Jung-gu, Daegu, on the morning of the 2nd.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated today (the 2nd) that “regions are being marginalized due to the concentration in the metropolitan area,” emphasizing that “a proactive role of government finances is necessary for the balanced development policy of the national land and recovery of growth.”
On this day, Lee visited the Daegu office to hold an on-site Supreme Council meeting and noted, “Everyone’s life is difficult, but the hardships in local areas, including Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK), are much greater.”
Lee stressed, “Efforts for continuous growth, such as investment for balanced development and industrial relocation tailored to local characteristics, are essential,” highlighting that “ultimately, it is only the government that can resolve this.”
Lee mentioned, “The Democratic Party has cooperated with Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo to pass the Dalbit Inland Railroad Law,” adding, “Furthermore, the ruling and opposition parties have come together to recently pass the Special Act on the New Integrated Daegu Gyeongbuk Airport and the Special Act supporting the Gyeongju APEC.”
The Dalbit Inland Railroad connects Daegu and Gwangju, and in January, a special law supporting its construction was passed by the National Assembly.
Lee continued, “The Democratic Party will not stop here,” pledging to make “every effort for the future of Daegu, including attracting the National Robot Test Field to Daegu.”
Meanwhile, regarding the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over next year’s budget plan, Lee remarked, “The government has allocated 4.8 trillion won in reserve funds. Isn’t it for discretionary use at any time,” suggesting, “Instead, let’s use half of it to pay off the national debt, which accounts for most of the Democratic Party’s budget cuts.”
Lee added, “It is perplexing to suggest that one cannot manage affairs due to the cut in special activity expenses.”
Lee also criticized, “Claims that there is a problem due to the refusal to negotiate on increasing the budget is absurd. If the budget was necessary, the government should have proposed it in the original draft, not suggesting an increase now. There have probably not been changes in government policies or the situation in just a couple of months; it may be an issue of incompetence or a different strategy gone wrong.”
(Photo = Yonhap News)