PPP floor leader urges voters hit by high prices and interest rates to back his party

People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seog appealed to voters Monday, urging anyone struggling with a thinner wallet, rising prices and heavy interest burdens to cast their ballot for the PPP.

Song made the appeal at an emergency press briefing at the National Assembly, taking aim at the ruling Democratic Party's economic record. "The ruling party is firing off Kospi 7,000 and 8,000 fireworks and popping champagne — but how are your finances doing?" he said. "Doesn't something seem off?"

The remarks appeared to be a direct response to Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, who had earlier told voters to back his party if they felt pleased looking at their stock portfolios.

Song cited recent price increases and interest rate pressures to criticize the government and ruling party's economic policies. "I saw reports that a bowl of naengmyeon costs 18,000 won (about $12) and a bowl of samgyetang costs 20,000 won (about $13)," he said. "The weather is getting hotter, but we live in an age where even buying a bowl of naengmyeon feels frightening."

He went on to say that the won-dollar exchange rate had been stuck above 1,500 won for a long time, pushing prices higher across the board. "Homeowners are being hit with a tax bomb, renters with a wolse bomb, young people who stretched their finances to buy homes with an interest bomb, and small-business owners with a high-interest-rate bomb," he said.

Song also criticized the administration for glossing over economic hardship. "This is a government that dresses up high prices, high interest rates and a weak won as 'the cost of success,' and tells you to vote Democratic if your stock account makes you smile," he said. "It turns a blind eye to ordinary people's pain and does nothing but congratulate itself."

He also warned that without a check at the ballot box, the Lee Jae Myung administration would push ahead with a special prosecutor bill to drop charges against him, while the Democratic Party would monopolize National Assembly committees and continue what he called legislative tyranny. "When Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de's term ends next June, the Supreme Court will ultimately fall completely under the administration's grip," he claimed.

Song urged voters to deliver a verdict on what he called an arrogant authoritarian government. "The only way is to vote," he said. "Power fears citizens who vote. Your vote must make power fear the people."

Song also acknowledged his party's shortcomings. "I know full well that many of you see the PPP as falling far short," he said. "We are sorry, and we reflect on that."

Still, he renewed his appeal, arguing that voters needed to act as a check on the ruling bloc. "But shouldn't you protect a South Korea standing in the wind?" he said. "You must press the control button — at least once — against arrogant power."

He added that the PPP would go all out in the final 40 hours before polls close, taking its message directly to voters.