Ex-Democratic Party of Korea head says he would distribute corporate profits on back of more government input
Democratic Party of Korea presidential hopeful Rep. Lee Jae-myung said Friday he would end "insurrection" waged by ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol and turn the country into "a model and beacon of hope for democracy in the world."
In a press conference laying out his vision for his presidency, Lee said he would put an end to Yoon's "insurrection that is still perpetuating to this day," referring to the former president's botched imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 last year.
The former Democratic Party leader credited "all South Korean people" for Yoon's ouster a week ago, calling it the "people's revolution."
"The peaceful revolution led by the South Korean people will be a model for democracies around the world," he said.
Lee said the major problems facing the country were a lot different compared to 2022, when he had run for the president against Yoon.
"Back then, we didn't have forces trying to overthrow the Constitution and democracy. The Yoon Suk Yeol government has spawned the worst crisis for democracy, the bedrock of our society, in recent years. The values of freedom and human rights have come under a dire threat. Peace and security have been turned into means for controlling power," he said.
Lee said he also become a different person compared to three years ago. "I feel a lot more responsibility. I'm a bit more eager," he said.
Lee also pointed to the the second Donald Trump administration in the US which has "triggered a global contest that prioritizes nations' self-interests."
The domestic political polarization and divide "need to be overcome" in the face of a new global reality governed by the "rules of the survival of the fittest," he said.
To help South Korean corporations remain competitive, Lee said he would "expand government involvement and investment" in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence. As corporations would benefit from more government input, their profits "should also be shared, and not monopolized by the few," he said.
Lee said the country's economic growth should contribute to making lives better for South Koreans.
"The costs of living are skyrocketing. Unemployment is on the rise. Small businesses are shutting down. Household incomes are dwindling and stock prices are plummeting. Eveywhere you look in the country, so many are suffering financially," he said.
Lee ended his 12-minute message with, "The real South Korea is just beginning."
Lee, who still has to pass through the Democratic Party presidential primary, appears to be leading other potential and official contenders. A poll by Gallup Korea released Friday showed Lee, with 37 percent support, to be far ahead of his rivals.
Kim Moon-soo, Yoon's former labor minister, who has been polling strongest against Lee, stopped short at just 9 percent. Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of conservative home turf Daegu, had 5 percent. Han Dong-hoon, the former People Power Party leader, was on 4 percent.
They are followed by acting President Han Duck-soo, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, People Power Party Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and Reform Party Rep. Lee Jun-seok all of whom got 2 percent each. Lee Nak-yon, former Democratic Party President Moon Jae-in's prime minister, and Yoo Seong-min, former lawmaker who headed the People Power Party's think tank, the Yeouido Institute, earned 1 percent each.
Thirty percent said they had no preference.
Friday's Gallup Korea poll took place April 8-10 featuring 1,005 voters aged 18 and up surveyed through random digit dialing, with plus or minus 3.1 percentage points as its margin of sampling error and 95 percent confidence level. More about the poll is available on the National Election Commission website.
arin@heraldcorp.com
