Lee said to 'strongly hope' for victory in free lunch referendum

SEOUL (Yonhap) - President Lee Myung-bak strongly believes the ruling camp should unite to win the upcoming referendum on Seoul's free school lunch program as he sees the vote as a chance to put the brakes on populism, an official said Friday.
The city government is set to hold a referendum on Aug. 24 to ask residents whether to continue the opposition-led policy of providing all students with free lunch. Mayor Oh Se-hoon and his ruling Grand National Party have denounced the measure as a populist policy weighing on government finances.
"The president considers the outcome of the upcoming free lunch vote as a referendum on whether the chain of populism will continue or break off," a senior presidential aide said. "The president's intention is firm that (the ruling camp) should win the vote."
Lee strongly believes the ruling party should help Mayor Oh win the vote, he said.
Lee has repeatedly voiced concern about politicians putting forth a series of costly policy proposals to woo voters ahead of next year's general elections. On Tuesday, Lee said that the country should guard against populist policies or could face Greece's fate, hit by a debt crisis caused by excessive welfare programs.