ID :
194978
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 09:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/194978
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Ruling party leader puts focus on middle class
SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- Grand National Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said Thursday that he will lead the ruling party in shaking off its "rich" tag and shift its economic focus to the middle class as part of efforts to win back support ahead of next year's major polls.
President Lee Myung-bak's center-right party has been pushing for a package of economic reforms, including corporate tax cuts and easing business regulations. Hong, who was elected the new party leader in early July, vowed to take a more populist approach and focus on day-to-day issues that create money woes for many families.
"I will operate the party in a way that restores the affection and trust from the people based on three principles: the middle class, meeting people in their fields of work and credibility," Hong said during a news conference.
He said it is part of an effort to show that the ruling party cares about workers who are struggling to pay their bills or have anxieties about their temporary jobs.
"(The GNP) will put its efforts into solving problems for the middle class, such as price stability, job creation, and support programs for temporary workers, small firms and retailers," Hong said.
Hong promised to put the brakes on what he believes are wrong practices by the presidential office and the government. He remained mum, however, about Lee's reported plan to name one of his senior secretaries for justice minister.
Lee's reported plan to nominate Kwon Jae-jin, the current senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, for the justice minister has created concerns that it could raise questions over the neutrality of law enforcement ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.
"I am opposed to the logic that a senior secretary should not be appointed as a justice minister," Hong said, noting he will leave the decision to individual party members.
President Lee Myung-bak's center-right party has been pushing for a package of economic reforms, including corporate tax cuts and easing business regulations. Hong, who was elected the new party leader in early July, vowed to take a more populist approach and focus on day-to-day issues that create money woes for many families.
"I will operate the party in a way that restores the affection and trust from the people based on three principles: the middle class, meeting people in their fields of work and credibility," Hong said during a news conference.
He said it is part of an effort to show that the ruling party cares about workers who are struggling to pay their bills or have anxieties about their temporary jobs.
"(The GNP) will put its efforts into solving problems for the middle class, such as price stability, job creation, and support programs for temporary workers, small firms and retailers," Hong said.
Hong promised to put the brakes on what he believes are wrong practices by the presidential office and the government. He remained mum, however, about Lee's reported plan to name one of his senior secretaries for justice minister.
Lee's reported plan to nominate Kwon Jae-jin, the current senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, for the justice minister has created concerns that it could raise questions over the neutrality of law enforcement ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.
"I am opposed to the logic that a senior secretary should not be appointed as a justice minister," Hong said, noting he will leave the decision to individual party members.
