Democratic Party: "It Doesn't Matter if It's Hotel Economics or Jajangmyeon Economics" Facing Head-on

Self-employed Support for Lee Drops by 6.9 Percentage Points in a Week

Cho Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, stated on the 22nd, "Whether it's hotel economics or chicken economics, the core issue is the domestic market slump." This appears to be a direct confrontation against the criticism of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's 'hotel economics' from the conservative camp.

In a briefing held at the Democratic Party's central office in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, Cho stated, "It is a time when the role of active finance is needed," and added, "It doesn't matter if it's hotel economics or jajangmyeon economics. Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party are proposing policy alternatives to overcome serious situations like economic recession."

Lee's 'hotel economics' came to the surface following his campaign speech in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, on the 16th. The logic of hotel economics is that even if a tourist cancels a hotel reservation after paying a deposit of 100,000 won, the money circulates through food stores, chicken shops, shoe stores, and bakeries, thereby revitalizing the economy. Writer Yoo Si-min defended it, saying, "It's a debate that's hard to digest without studying graduate-level economic policy history," but criticism followed in political and academic circles, asking, "Does the economy revive even with a 'no-show'?"

Lee's 'coffee cost 120 won' also became controversial. During the same Gunsan campaign, Lee said, "You can charge 8,000 to 10,000 won for a cup of coffee, but I found out the cost is 120 won." Among small business owners running cafes, there was backlash, saying, "It accuses us of profiteering without considering rent, electricity, or labor costs."

As the controversies over 'hotel economics' and 'coffee cost 120 won' grew, it is analyzed that the support from self-employed individuals is also shaking. According to a poll conducted by Realmeter at the request of Energy Economy News on the 20th to 21st and released on the same day, the percentage of self-employed individuals who responded they support Lee dropped from 55.1% to 48.2%, a decrease of 6.9 percentage points in a week. In online communities of self-employed individuals, debates continue over Lee's hotel economics and coffee cost 120 won remarks.

In the briefing, Cho also explained the controversy over the deficit of Seongnam City Medical Center under Lee Jae-myung. He said, "Basically, public medical centers are not structured to make a profit," and added, "For example, many national university hospitals, including Seoul National University Hospital, played the role of base hospitals during the COVID-19 situation, and while they couldn't provide other treatments properly, they only accepted COVID-19 patients." He continued, "Of course, it's not a structure that can make a profit, but since the government couldn't fully cover the financial losses, such deficits have accumulated."

The previous day, Lee Jun-seok, the candidate of the Reform New Party, visited Seongnam City Medical Center in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, and pointed out, "Out of 500 beds in Seongnam City Medical Center, which received 340 billion won in accumulated support, 200 are empty," highlighting the accumulated deficit.

Cho criticized candidate Lee Jun-seok, saying, "He uses a microscope to make it seem like there are overall problems with a heel hair, and I want to ask about his vision for public healthcare."

Reporter Lee Kwang-sik bumeran@hankyung.com