[Anchor]
Criticism has emerged that the government's stance on potentially modifying and supplementing the tax reform proposal announced last week makes it a "patchwork" and lacks consistency. In response, President Lee Jae-myung emphasized today (August 11) that finalized proposals should not be pushed through unconditionally, and that there is room for changes. The government maintains its stance of actively reflecting public opinions until the legislative notice period ends on the 20th.
For our first report, here is reporter Kang Min-u.
[Reporter]
During a Cabinet meeting today, President Lee Jae-myung addressed criticisms that the tax reform proposal had become a "patchwork" and lacked consistency following Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Koo Yun-cheol leaving open the possibility of modifying or supplementing the plan.
[President Lee Jae-myung: When you announce a proposal, it is to listen to opinions. Naturally, there will counterarguments, and accepting those counterarguments is the desirable thing to do. Is it consistent to just say, 'We decided it once, so we're going straight ahead with it'? No, that is not consistency.]
His remarks meant that it is only natural to announce a policy proposal, listen to opinions through legislative notice, and reflect them.
[President Lee Jae-myung: Rather than presenting a finalized proposal and unilaterally pushing it forward no matter what, there is always room for changes when a proposal is introduced.]
He particularly stressed that there is no such thing as a 100% perfect proposal that requires no revision, adding that criticism just for the sake of criticism only intensifies conflict rather than solving problems.
Deputy Prime Minister Koo responded that listening to public opinions until the 20th, the end of the legislative notice period, and going through discussions in the National Assembly to supplement the plan is the process of enhancing the completeness of the tax reform proposal.
[Koo Yun-cheol / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance: During the legislative notice period, please feel free to provide any opinions. We will modify and supplement them, and reflect them actively.]
President Lee also urged Deputy Prime Minister Koo to maintain a "humble posture," noting that those who benefit from tax changes stay quiet, while those facing increased burdens hold immense animosity.
[President Lee Jae-myung: Mr. Minister of Economy and Finance, you must know this. Anyone who handles taxes is bound to be cursed at when changes are made. So you must unconditionally crawl on the ground (stay extremely humble).]
President Lee presided over today's Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong, where he expressed his determination to realize the era of the Sejong presidential office during his term, stating, "We must exert all our efforts with the mindset of holding our last Cabinet meeting in Sejong."
(Video reporting: Jeong Sang-bo, Yoon Hyeong | Video editing: Lee Seung-jin)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.