Junior Uri lawmakers get candid about ruling party’s future

Push for reform should be coupled with image change, they say

First-term lawmakers of the ruling Uri Party met June 14 to listen to public opinion after the party’s crushing defeat in the May 31 local elections. During the meeting, arranged by first-term lawmakers including Rep. Jeon Byeong-heon and Kim Kyo-heung, participants seemed to feel free to expres their opinions, in sharp contrast to the previous day’s workshop with leaders of the party, where participants seemed to be practicing self-censorship.

The lawmakers urged the party to adjust a number of government economic policies in areas such as taxes and real estate. Rep. Park Young-seon accused the government’s “August 31 Property Measure” of increasing the public tax burden, even though the measure’s intent was to levy higher taxes on high-priced properties.

Rep. Shin Hak-yong said the biggest reason for the party’s election defeat was an unexpected introduction of the tax-hike measure.

Rep. Roh Hyeon-song said that the middle classes were voicing an increased need to readjust the tax measure which penalizes single-family homeowners who have more than one property.

Rep. Oh Se-jae urged the president and government to not disparage the state of the economy,“even though ordinary people still complain of economic difficulties,” urging the ruling Uri Party to take a more company-friendly policy. “The Uri Party should shake off its image as a pro-North, anti-U.S. party,” Oh said.

However, Rep. Woo Won-shik remained cautious of stifling the party’s reformist orientation, saying, “The most important reform is to revive the grass-roots economy, but we should guard ourselves against anti-reform forces" who call themselves "practical."

The junior lawmakers also questioned the party’s lack of strong leadership. Rep. Cho Kyeong-tae said, “There is a lack of leadership in the party, with so many sectarian groups.” Rep. Kim Jae-yoon urged the party to attract new figures.

The lawmakers also deemed incompetent certain actions by the Roh administration. Rep. Roh Young-min said, “After offering a clear vision for national administration, we should appeal to people to give us [another] opportunity.”

Rep. Shin Hak-yong said, “Hungry people tend to choose a corrupt government rather than an incompetent government,” referring to some party members desire for the president, national policy secretary Kim Byeong-joon, and other aides to refrain from saying unexpected words that stir up controversy.