Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Lee Jae-myung criticizes Yoon's 'selective' justice
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung prepares for an online press conference explaining his presidential pledges at a hotel in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, Friday, a day after officially announcing his presidential bid. Yonhap
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Lee, Yoon head-to-head in poll after announcing presidential bids
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung has emphasized "fairness" as the top priority among his presidential pledges, targeting Yoon Seok-youl, former Prosecutor General and leading presidential hopeful from the opposition bloc.
Lee, who announced his presidential bid officially online Thursday, held an online press conference Friday to detail his pledges. Lee is a front-runner by a large margin among the ruling Democratic Party's (DPK) presidential contenders.
Lee said restoring justice is the most important task, as it would open new opportunities in the efficient use of resources and turn crisis into opportunity.
When asked about the prosecution's investigation into former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, Lee said the prosecution went overboard. Lee said that Korea's prosecution abuses its power, making up false charges or covering up existing crimes, instead of being neutral.
"Yoon punishing the guilty in general is appreciable, but, like in the case of Cho Kuk, justice should not be selective. Selective justice is even worse than injustice and it is inequality," Lee said. "Selective investigations harm equality before the law. The prosecution's exercise of power should be fair, balanced and socially valid."
Lee's remarks are interpreted as challenging Yoon, a leading contender for the opposition camp.
Lee and Yoon are neck-and-neck in opinion polls. In the latest survey on the suitability of potential presidential candidates conducted by Gallup Korea from June 28 to July 1, Yoon ranked at the top with 25 percent of support, while Lee scored 24 percent.
Considering the poll's confidence level of 95 percent and a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, it is hard to tell who is in the lead.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung speaks during an online press conference via Zoom explaining his presidential pledges at a hotel in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, Friday, a day after officially announcing his presidential bid. Yonhap
Lee criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's real estate policy, which failed to stabilize soaring apartment prices.
"I am part of the Moon administration and the DPK, so I am not in a position to appraise the policies. However, like most Koreans, real estate prices soared too much under this administration and we can raise doubts about whether this government did its best to stabilize the real estate market or not," Lee said.
In that context, Lee in effect criticized his party for revising a bill to limit the targets of the comprehensive real estate tax.
"It's a shame that the revised bill does not strengthen regulations or burdens on speculators. I think land speculators should face stronger penalties than a tax bombshell. Meanwhile, individuals who have housing for primary residence or companies with land for business use should not suffer losses from the real estate regulations," Lee said.
Lee is also well-known for promoting the universal basic income plan, but he remained flexible, pushing it back on the priority pledge list.
"Universal basic income is a new, groundbreaking policy in Korea and I understand that there are worries regarding the introduction of the system and its financial sources. We should prioritize restructuring industrial economy first and universal basic income should be discussed afterwards," Lee said.