Hwang Kyo-ahn: "How long will we keep fiddling with the election calculator... We must not miss the golden time for emergency disaster relief funds"

On the 7th, Hwang Kyo-ahn, the Future United Party candidate for Seoul Jongno National Assembly, appealed for support from citizens in the alleys of Changsin 2-dong, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, said on the 7th regarding the COVID-19 disaster relief fund, "The people are desperate for their livelihoods and anxious, so how long will you keep fiddling with the election calculator?"

In a post on his Facebook that day, Hwang said, "President Moon Jae-in says 70%, Lee Hae-chan, ruling party leader, says 100%, but the ruling party's disaster relief fund is inconsistent and sluggish," and criticized, "Because the ruling party's behavior is inconsistent, the criticism continues that they have no regard for the people and only think about the election."

He continued, "The emergency disaster relief fund must not miss the golden time," emphasizing, "50,000 won per person (200,000 won for a family of four) should be paid as soon as possible."

Then Hwang emphasized, "Does the ruling party have a plan to secure the funding for the disaster relief fund? Or do they intend to beg the struggling people? That is unacceptable," adding, "The funds can be secured through budget restructuring of already secured budgets. We should not burden the people with new debt, and the government must also tighten its belt."

He also said, "Since the budget is set for normal times, unnecessary and non-urgent budgets should be boldly adjusted," adding, "If only 20% of the 512 trillion won budget is adjusted, 100 trillion won can be secured."

He continued, "By doing so, the additional 25 trillion won needed to pay 500,000 won to all citizens can be raised without additional tax burden," and said, "It should be sufficiently invested to protect people's livelihoods, prevent corporate bankruptcies, and safeguard jobs."

Finally, Hwang said, "The United Future Party and I will not consider election advantages or disadvantages in urgent support for the people," urging, "I hope the government pays (the emergency disaster relief fund) as soon as possible, even before the election."