Yoon regrets Samsung chief’s
criticism of economic policy


From news reports

Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun expressed regret Monday about Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee’s recent criticism of the government’s economic policy.
“It is truly embarrassing and disappointing,” Yoon told lawmakers about Lee’s disparaging remarks on the Lee Myung-bak administration’s policy performance.
Last Thursday the Samsung chief said, “I am not satisfied but still won’t give out a failing mark since the economy has grown substantially compared with the preceding 10 years.”
Addressing a National Assembly committee, Yoon said, “It is sad to see that the chief of a large business that benefitted from the government’s policy support mentioning about a failing remark.”
The minister also expressed support for former Prime Minster Chung Un-chan’s proposal for a “profit-sharing scheme” between large and small companies, which the Samsung chairman sharply criticized.
“I think the underlying rationale should be developed,” the minister said.
He said the proposal is aimed at promoting fair competition by fixing large companies’ abuse of market power.
Speaking of the profit-sharing program, Samsung’s Lee said, “I have never learned this from texts on economics, and I am not aware if this is used in socialist, capitalist or communist countries.”
The Samsung chairman was speaking to reporters before attending a meeting of the Federation of Korean Industries.
The following day, one high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official expressed irritation, saying his remarks were obviously uncomfortable to hear.