[HS] Mayor Oh ups ante in fight against free meal program

By Kwon Mee-yoo Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon made it clear Friday that he will mobilize all of his authority to overturn the campaign by the Seoul Metropolitan Council to provide free lunches at primary and secondary schools. His remarks came after the council, dominated by members from the opposition Democratic Party, passed the free school meal ordinance Wednesday. Mayor Oh said he will not cooperate with the council, refusing to attend any of its sessions. “I will reject any populist polices in the name of welfare. I will use all of my power to block the Democratic Party’s political attacks and the tyranny of the council,” he said at a press conference. The city government claimed the ordinance unlawful and Oh took a day off Thursday and did not attend the council’s questioning session. The mayor said the DP earned “temporary support” from citizens by putting up welfare populism at the June 2 local election. “The free school meal program the DP pledged is a typical example of a vote-catching policy,” Oh said. He said the free school lunches are just the beginning of the DP’s welfare populism and the city administration had to put a stop to it. Oh again indicated his stance on the free school meal service for all. “I oppose the ’unfair’ free meal plan, which gives an educational welfare budget to the wealthy instead of the needy,” he said. Kim Myung-soo, the DP floor leader of the municipal council, said the mayor is dealing with the issue politically. “Mayor Oh is the person who has done wrong, but is blaming us for being political. We will continue the plenary session until Oh attends for administrative questioning,” Kim said.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr