Lee In-young "Disaster Relief Fund to Be Paid in May... Meeting with Floor Leaders Today"

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee In-young, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reaffirmed his position to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens nationwide. Regarding whether to pursue the election pledge of easing the comprehensive real estate tax, he refrained from answering, saying, "I cannot answer hastily," and on the possibility of constitutional amendment, he responded, "Responding to the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is the priority."

On the morning of the 20th, Lee appeared on KBS Radio and said about the emergency disaster relief funds, "There will be Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's policy speech today, and a meeting with Sim Jae-cheol, the floor leader of the United Future Party, is also scheduled, so we will proceed to the final coordination process," adding, "We will approach this by seeking cooperation from the government and the opposition."

When asked about the government's reluctance due to fiscal soundness, he said, "It is an understandable position, and I believe we can find a solution while achieving harmony."

Regarding the future legislative schedule, he said, "Since there is a meeting with Floor Leader Sim today, we will finalize the schedule then," and added, "From our standpoint, I think we should speed up to complete the supplementary budget review within this month and have the disaster relief funds distributed in May."

When asked, "Some candidates mentioned easing the comprehensive real estate tax during the election period. Do you plan to handle it in the 20th National Assembly?" he replied, "It is true that there was talk about being able to respond more flexibly to practical issues if principles such as one household one house are maintained."

However, he added, "I cannot hastily answer whether legal and institutional adjustments can be made during this 20th National Assembly," and said, "We will listen to the opposition's position and look for possible measures during that process."

In response to the question, "There is talk that with the overwhelming majority given to the ruling party, this is a golden opportunity to push for constitutional amendment," he said, "Now is not the time for us to talk about constitutional amendment first," and added, "We will devote all efforts to overcoming the economic crisis caused by COVID-19."

Regarding whether the Together Citizens' Party will form a floor negotiation group, he said, "The direction has not been clearly set yet," and added, "If political actions go against public opinion, it would be desirable to return to the original situation normally," refraining from further comment.

About the Open Democratic Party, he said, "I think our stance toward the Open Party has been clear and principled," and added, "There has been no change in that stance."

When asked if there are plans to discuss re-amending the election law in the 21st National Assembly, he said, "I hope the next floor leader will make a good judgment and respond accordingly," and added, "What is clear is that this is an issue that cannot just be passed over as if nothing happened."