People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk called Lee Jae-myung a "typical gangster" in a critique of the opposition's policies this week [1].
The escalation in rhetoric comes as South Korea enters the final stretch of campaigning for local elections, which are approximately 20 days away [1]. The intensifying attacks signal a strategy by the People Power Party to frame the opposition as corrupt and predatory to mobilize voters before the polls open.
Jang focused his criticism on the concept of a "national dividend," a proposal that he said is fundamentally flawed. He said that the idea of redistributing funds in this manner is an attempt to seize money under the guise of public benefit [1].
"Lee Jae-myung only has greed for collection," Jang said [1]. "The very idea of taking money as if they earned it themselves is a typical 'gangster mindset'" [1].
The People Power Party is using the "national dividend" remarks as a primary rallying point for its campaign. By employing aggressive language, the party aims to portray the opposition's economic promises as a form of organized theft rather than legitimate policy [1].
This shift toward more confrontational language is part of a broader effort to dominate the national political arena. The party said that highlighting the perceived corruption of the opposition will solidify its own base and attract undecided voters who are wary of populist spending [1].
“"The very idea of taking money as if they earned it themselves is a typical 'gangster mindset'"”
The use of highly provocative language like "gangster mindset" indicates a strategy of polarization. By framing a policy debate over national dividends as a moral and criminal issue, the People Power Party is attempting to shift the election narrative away from administrative performance and toward a character-based attack on the opposition leadership.
