The Korea Times

Editorial Bipartisan populism

Rival parties slammed for 'vote buying' move여야 정당들은 ‘매표’ 움직임에 대해 비난 받고 있다The National Assembly approved a 16.9-trillion-won ($14.2-billion) supplementary budget bill Monday to provide financial support for pandemic-hit small merchants and self-employed people. It is fortunate that the ruling and opposition parties passed the bill based on bipartisanship after weeks of political haggling.국회는 월요일 코로나19로 타격을 입은 소상공인과 자영업자를 지원하기 위해 16조 9,000억원(142억불) 규모의 추가경정예산안을 통과시켰다. 여당과 야당이 몇 주간의 정치적 실랑이 끝에 양당 합의로 법안을 통과시킨 것은 다행스러운 일이다.Yet, the rival parties deserve criticism for trying to use the bill to their advantage in the March 9 presidential election. They have given the impression that they were more focused on maximizing their political gains rather than helping those vulnerable to the economic fallout of the public health crisis. That's why they cannot deflect criticism for using the supplementary budget for bipartisan populism to "buy votes" before the poll.그러나 여야는 3월 9일 대통령선거에 추경안을 자신들에게 유리하게 활용하려 한다는 비판을 받아 마땅하다. 그들은 공중 보건 위기의 경제적 여파에 취약한 사람들을 돕기보다 정치적 이익을 극대화하는 데 집중했다는 인상을 주

Feb 27, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Step in wrong direction

Fight against virus should not be swayed by politics바이러스 극복 문제가 정치에 휘둘려서는 안 돼The Moon Jae-in administration cannot avoid criticism for easing social distancing rules ahead of the March 9 presidential election, despite an explosive surge in COVID-19 infections. On Friday, the government decided to allow cafes and restaurants to extend their business hours by one hour to 10 p.m., for about three weeks until March 13.문재인정부는 코로나19 감염자의 폭발적인 급증에도 3월 9일 대선을 앞두고 사회적 거리두기를 완화했다는 비판을 피할 수 없다. 금요일, 정부는 3월 13일까지 약 3주간 카페와 식당의 영업 시간을 오후 10시까지 1시간 연장하기로 결정했다.The measure was apparently aimed at helping small merchants and self-employed people, who are most vulnerable to the economic fallout from the pandemic, reduce their losses arising from the strict social distancing guidelines. The government can no longer ignore the strong backlash from those people who complain that they have been driven out of business due to the tightened rules.이러한 조치는 코로나19에 따른 경제적 여파에 가장 취약한 소상공인과 자영업자들이 엄격한 사회적 거리두기 지침으로 인한 손실을 줄일 수 있도록 돕기 위한 것으로 보인다. 정부는 강화된 규제로 인해 폐업으로 내몰려 아우성치는 국민들의 거센 반발을 더 이상 외면해서는 안 된다."We could n

Feb 21, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Widening income disparity

Policy failures should not be repeated정책 실패가 반복되어서는 안 된다The gap between the rich and poor deepened over the past four years under the Moon Jae-in administration. The average annual income of the richest 10 percent increased by 14.29 million won ($12,000) from 2016 to 2020, according to the office of Rep. Choo Kyung-ho of the main opposition People Power Party, Tuesday.문재인정부 들어 지난 4년간 빈부 격차가 심화됐다. 20일 국민의힘 추경호 의원실에 따르면 상위 10% 부자의 연평균 소득은 2016년부터 2020년까지 1,429만원 증가했다.In contrast, the average income of the poorest 10 percent rose by only 170,000 won during the corresponding period. This means the annual income of the top 10 percent, which was 68.6 times that of the poorest 10 percent in 2016, rose to 69.8 times in 2020. The wealth disparity between the rich and poor steadily narrowed from 2016 to 2019. Yet it began to widen from 2020, apparently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.이와는 대조적으로, 가장 가난한 10퍼센트의 평균 소득은 해당 기간 동안 17만원 증가하는 데 그쳤다. 이는 상위 10%의 연 소득이 2016년 하위 10%의 68.6배였던 것이 2020년에는 69.8배로 증가했음을 의미한다. 빈부 격차는 2016년부터 2019년까지 꾸준히 좁혀졌다. 그러나 코로나19 대유행의 영향을 받은 것으로 보이는 2020년부터 확대되기 시작했다.The

Feb 18, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial No more political retaliation

Yoon should apologize for reckless remarks윤 후보는 무분별한 발언에 대해 사과해야Opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol has triggered controversy over his remarks that he will launch an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of power by the current administration if he is elected. He certainly went too far in targeting the Moon Jae-in government for an anti-corruption drive.국민의힘 윤석열 대선후보가 당선될 경우 현 정부의 비리와 권력남용 의혹에 대한 수사에 착수하겠다는 발언을 해 논란이 일고 있다. 윤 후보는 분명히 반부패 드라이브에 대해 문재인정부를 겨냥하는 데 있어 금도를 벗어났다.In an exclusive interview with the JoongAng Ilbo this week, Yoon said, "Of course there will be an investigation." He added that the probe won't be personal, but a legitimate action under the criminal justice system. It is, of course, natural for any previous government to be subject to investigation if there were any wrongdoings or violations of the law.윤 후보는 금주 중앙일보와의 단독 인터뷰에서 "당연히 조사가 있을 것"이라고 말했다. 윤 후보는 "수사는 개인적인 것이 아닌, 사법체계 하에서 정당한 조치가 될 것"이라고 덧붙였다. 과거 어느 정부든 이나 부정이나 위법 행위가 있었다면 수사 대상이 되는 것은 당연하다.However, Yoon should have refrained from mentioning such a probe duri

Feb 14, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Fight against Omicron

New response is inevitable, but insufficient새로운 대응은 불가피하지만 불충분하다On Monday, the Moon Jae-in administration announced its measures against the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The new guidelines call for easing monitoring and quarantine rules for low-risk patients. Such measures are inevitable as health authorities can no longer maintain a tight quarantine network in the face of an explosive spike in new infections.문재인정부가 월요일 신종 코로나바이러스 감염증(코로나19) 오미크론(Omicron) 변이의 급속 확산에 대한 대책을 발표했다. 새로운 지침은 저위험 환자에 대한 모니터링 및 방역 규칙을 완화할 것을 촉구하고 있다. 신규 감염이 폭발적으로 급증하는 상황에서 보건당국이 더 이상 촘촘한 방역망을 유지할 수 없기 때문에 이러한 조치는 불가피하다.The changed response is focused on monitoring and treating high-risk patients, including those aged 60 and older as well those in their 50s with underlying diseases. This means that it is now impossible for the country to maintain its so-called K-quarantine system for testing, tracing and treating all patients. The country's medical capacity is increasingly reaching its limit as Omicron has emerged as the dominant COVID-19 variant.변경된 대응책은 60세 이상 고위험군과 50대 기저질환자 등 고위험군 환자를

Feb 14, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

National

Ahn Cheol-soo rejects unified candidacy, vows to finish race

Ahn Cheol-soo, right, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, jogs with his wife Seoul National University professor Kim Mi-kyung and daughter Ahn Surl-hee along Jungnang Stream in northeastern Seoul, Saturday. It was Ahn's last day of campaigning with all of his family members before his daughter Surl-hee returned to the U.S., where she is a postdoctoral scholar in biochemistry. YonhapPPP divided over fielding unified candidacy후보 단일화 놓고 국민의힘 내부서도 의견 갈려By Kwon Mee-yooAhn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate the minor opposition People's Party, made clear that he will be in the presidential race all the way to the end, denying speculation that he would consider fielding a unified candidacy with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).국민의당 안철수 대선 후보가 국민의힘과의 후보 단일화를 검토할 것이라는 관측을 부인하며 대선 레이스를 완주하겠다는 의지를 분명히 했다.In an MBN television show Sunday, Ahn said voters will choose the candidate who is the most qualified on the day of the election. When asked about a unified candidacy, he said his goal is not just finishing the race but winning it.안 후보는 일요일 MBN TV 프

Feb 6, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Ahn Cheol-soo rejects unified candidacy, vows to finish race

Editorial

Editorial Lack of in-depth discussion

More TV debates needed to give people opportunities to judge candidates국민들에게 후보자들을 판단할 수 있는 기회를 제공하는 더 많은 TV 토론 필요The major presidential candidates engaged in a heated discussion about various pending issues during the first TV debate, which took place at a KBS studio Thursday evening. They exchanged views on diverse matters such as real estate, foreign affairs, security, job creation and economic growth during the two-hour debate. The event drew special attention as it was the first debate they have had since being selected as the presidential candidates of their respective parties.주요 대선주자들은 목요일 저녁 KBS 스튜디오에서 열린 1차 TV토론에서 각종 현안을 놓고 열띤 토론을 벌였다. 이들은 2시간에 걸친 토론에서 부동산, 외교, 안보, 일자리 창출, 경제 성장 등 다양한 문제에 대해 의견을 교환했다. 이번 토론은 각 당의 대선 후보가 선출된 이후 처음 가진 토론회여서 특별한 관심을 끌었다.It would not be appropriate to say who did the best in this debate. Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) attempted to highlight the alleged misdeeds of Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), relating to his supposed role in a massive land development project in Daejang-dong, Seongna

Feb 6, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Populist campaign pledges

Candidates should not try to 'buy votes'후보자들이 '표를 얻기' 위해 무책임한 시도를 해서는 안 돼Presidential candidates of the rival political parties have gone too far in making campaign pledges they cannot keep. It is reckless and irresponsible for them to try to woo voters with unfeasible policy proposals.여야 대선주자들이 지키지 못할 공약들을 내놓는 것이 도를 넘어섰다. 실현 불가능한 정책들로 유권자의 마음을 사로잡으려는 것은 무모하고 무책임한 행동이다.On Sunday, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), promised to supply 3.11 million new homes over the next five years if he is elected president. This figure is up from his previous pledge to build 2.5 million homes to cool the overheated housing market.일요일 이재명 더불어민주당 후보는 대통령에 당선되면 향후 5년에 걸쳐 311만 가구의 신규 주택을 공급하겠다고 약속했다. 이는 과열된 주택시장을 잠재우기 위해 250만 가구를 공급하겠다는 기존 공약보다 늘어난 수치다.By increasing the figure by 610,000, he seemed to show his strong will to ensure a stable housing supply. Most of all, he has apparently sought to edge out his rival, Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) who has also vowed to supply 2.5 million new homes. Yet, Lee has failed to present a det

Jan 28, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Undiplomatic move

Tokyo hit for trying to raise territorial issue일본, 영토 문제 제기로 비난 받아The Japanese Embassy in Seoul has touched off controversy with its refusal to accept a New Year's gift sent by President Moon Jae-in because it was wrapped in paper showing an image of Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo. Cheong Wa Dae sent gifts of traditional liquor and other agricultural items last Tuesday to 15,000 people in diverse sectors of society, including foreign envoys.주한 일본대사관이 문재인 대통령이 보낸 새해 선물이 독도의 모습을 담은 종이에 싸여 있다는 이유로 수령을 거부해 논란이 일고 있다. 지난 화요일 청와대는 외국 사절을 포함한 약 15,000명의 사회 각계 인사들에게 전통주와 기타 농산품을 보냈다.Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Aiboshi returned the gift Friday, lodging a protest against the image and renewing his country’s territorial claim to the islets, according to Japanese news reports Saturday. There is nothing wrong with the presidential office using the image of Dokdo, which is Korean territory that has been under the effective control of Seoul, following its liberation from colonial rule by Japan.아이보시 고이치 주한 일본대사가 14일 독도에 대한 일본의 영유권을 재차 주장하고 독도 이미지에 대한 항의의 표시로 이 선물을 돌려보냈다고 일본 언론이 보도

Jan 28, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Fear of Omicron variant

Time to take new strategy to defeat pandemic코로나19를 종식시키기 위해 새로운 전략을 취해야 할 때Korea reported 6,603 COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, marking an increase of 798 cases from a day earlier, mostly prompted by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. This means the daily number of infections surpassed 6,000 for the first time since Dec. 24 when it stood at 6,233. It is a sharp increase of 2,439 cases from the 4,164 reported Jan. 13.정부당국은 수요일 총 6,603명의 코로나19 신규 확진자를 발표했는데, 이는 대부분 오미크론 변이의 빠른 확산으로 인해 전날보다 798명이 늘어난 것이다. 이것은 일일 확진자 수가 6,233명이었던 지난 12월 24일 이후 처음으로 6,000명을 돌파했다는 것을 의미한다. 이는 지난 1월 13일 발표한 4,164명에서 2,439명이 크게 늘어난 것이다.The Korea Disaster Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has attributed the recent upsurge to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, which is more than two times as contagious as the Delta variant. For instance, the Omicron variant, which accounted for 12.5 percent of total infections in the first week of January, rose to 26.7 percent last week. Health authorities say that should such a trend continue, it is certain that Omicron will become the dominant strain starti

Jan 24, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Ahn Seong-jin

Read more

Editorial Bipartisan populism

Editorial Step in wrong direction

Editorial Widening income disparity

Editorial No more political retaliation

Editorial Fight against Omicron

Ahn Cheol-soo rejects unified candidacy, vows to finish race

Editorial Lack of in-depth discussion

Editorial Populist campaign pledges

Editorial Undiplomatic move

Editorial Fear of Omicron variant

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