President Lee Jae-myung on the 7th invited Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae and floor leader Han Byung-do, and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and floor leader Song Eon-seog to Cheong Wa Dae for a luncheon meeting on the theme of "livelihood and the economy." At the meeting, Lee and Jang exchanged pointed remarks not only on responses to the Middle East war and the overall economic situation, but also over "disposing of multiple homes." It was the first time the two had met face to face in about seven months since a luncheon at the Yongsan presidential office in September last year.
At the "ruling-opposition-government livelihood and economy consultative body" talks that day, Lee, addressing Jang's criticism of overall state affairs, said, "I feel as if I'm taking interpellation questions." He also said, "If we talk completely differently about the same facts, this could become a fight, not a dialogue," adding, "Let's always fact-check and communicate seriously, and I hope to have such conversations with the opposition often."
Taking the first turn to speak at Lee's suggestion, Jang said, "Thank you for the invitation," and opened by saying, "Expecting a meeting like this today, I had a hard time disposing of 4 of my 6 houses recently." He said, "What I'm about to say may be uncomfortable, but please listen as the voices of people who are struggling," pointing out problems across the economy including the government's supplementary budget plan, the rising exchange rate, the lowered growth outlook, and real estate.
On the 26.2 trillion won supplementary budget plan, Jang said, "If it's a method of handing out cash to 70% of the people, it will rather have negative effects on prices and the exchange rate," adding, "49 billion won to support TBS, once dubbed the 'Kim Ou-joon broadcast,' 30.6 billion won for a project to carry Chinese tourists' luggage, and 58.7 billion won for a full survey of farmland speculation—these are representative programs that do not fit at all with the purpose of a wartime supplementary budget," as he called for cuts.
◇ "Handing out cash? Overstated; it's only right to give it to all the people"
Responding to Jang's criticism of paying a "high oil price relief payment" to the bottom 70% by income, Lee said, "Calling it handing out cash feels a bit overstated," adding, "Because price increases from the higher fuel tax are so great, we believe we must at least partially make up for the pain caused by that."
He also said, "In my fixed view, it's only right to give it to all the people," adding, "Because of funding limits, 30% of the people are effectively experiencing hardship, and frankly, while paying more in taxes, they are not receiving support. I feel very sorry about that. I'm truly sorry." He continued, "It is by no means cash populism," adding, "From our government's standpoint, this is the most important form of support."
The "four houses" Jang mentioned that day referred to what he and Lee had previously sparred over on social media about "disposing of multiple homes." Last month, Lee shared an article on social media saying Jang owned six houses and raised the issue in the sense of "why should we grant a grace period on heavier capital gains taxes for multiple-home owners." In response, Jang said that if Lee sold an apartment in Bundang, he would also sell his homes. On the 27th of last month, when Lee actually listed the apartment for sale with a real estate agency, he urged Jang to "keep his promise," and Jang also disposed of four dwellings.