“이재명 전 지사는 책임 없어”…추미애, 재정 위기 김동연 탓

Former Chungcheongnam-do Governor Kim Jae-myung has claimed that President Moon Jae-in bears no responsibility for the financial crisis, stating that he reduced the debt left by the previous administration during his tenure. The blame for the crisis has been shifted to the previous governor, Kim Dong-yeon, of the 8th term (2021-2025).

This has sparked conflict between the two parties' lawmakers. At a recent special session of the Chungcheongnam-do provincial assembly, the governor faced questioning from the opposition party's lawmaker, Yun Yong-jin, about the administration's fiscal management. The governor acknowledged that while the current administration had adopted policies like the youth basic living allowance, the previous administration's initiatives were significantly reduced.

He argued that setting different standards for past and current administrations was politically motivated. Another opposition lawmaker, Kim Tae-hee, also clashed with the governor over the crisis, pointing out that the provincial debt ratio of 15% placed it outside the crisis threshold of 12 out of 17 major local governments. The governor dismissed this criticism, stating that waiting for a crisis diagnosis before acting was not responsible governance.

The special session of the provincial assembly, which is expected to last until May 18, will focus on a budget proposal totaling 5.465 trillion won that includes a structural adjustment of 5465 billion won in revenue.