Conservative presidential hopefuls blast welfare plans

Three conservative contenders for next year’s presidential election criticized Sunday the main opposition Democratic Party’s proposed free welfare policy and introduction of a wealth tax.

At a charity event hosted by her fan club “Geun-hye’s Angels” at the National Assembly Memorial Hall Sunday, Park Geun-hye, a bigwig in the ruling Grand National Party, said, “I will regret why (the Democratic Party) sees everything (about welfare) in monetary terms,” adding, “What is really important is social attention.”

“There is extensive debate over welfare these days,” she said, adding, “Like all of you (fan club members) do, paying warm attention is first and then taking real action is important, however trivial and wherever possible within one’s capacity rather than making blank verbal pledges.”

One of her aides said, “She pointed to the fact that those who debate welfare have failed to pay genuine social attention and consideration based on real action for those in need.”

Since 2005, Geun-hye’s Angels have been conducting charitable activities to help sick children from low-income families at Park’s suggestion.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also criticized the opposition party’s series of plans on free welfare on his blog Sunday for the second time since Jan. 8.

“Free cheese can be found only in rat traps. The Seoul Metropolitan Government cannot deal with costs necessary for free welfare (at least 40 trillion won or 36.6 billion U.S. dollars) with its current budget source. Once the policy is implemented, the expenses will increase astronomically, further adding to financial burden and livelihoods of the middle class.”

Lee Hoi-chang, chairman of the minor conservative Liberty Forward Party, told MBC TV Sunday, “I‘m worried that parties will make reckless pledges to win votes in the presidential election. If presidential candidates engage in competition of pledges for welfare programs, Korea could see an uncontrollable situation.”

“In the 1997 presidential campaign, then candidate Kim Dae-jung pledged to write off farmers’ debts. I called the pledge unrealistic and impossible but once he promised the write-off, (votes) were cast in his favor en masse.”

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