Female Floor Leader Yeo's First Meeting After General Election... Discussions on Disaster Relief Fund Payment Scale

‘n번방 방지법’ Likely to Be Discussed Together

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 Lim Chun-han] The ruling and opposition parties will hold their first floor leader meeting since the April 15 general election to discuss the payment of emergency disaster relief funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this meeting, detailed discussions are expected regarding the schedule for reviewing the second supplementary budget bill, as well as the scale, scope, and recipients of the disaster relief payments.

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th, "In fact, political consensus on the relief funds has already been reached. Both ruling and opposition parties promised to quickly provide support to all citizens," urging the opposition to cooperate by saying, "It is time to fulfill the promises made during the election." He added, "We must complete the supplementary budget bill by the end of April and ensure that all citizens receive the support funds by early May," emphasizing, "We expect bipartisan agreement to process the supplementary budget bill in the shortest possible time by reducing unnecessary and trivial disputes."

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, also stated, "The emergency disaster relief fund is a disaster measure, not a welfare measure. Because it is mistakenly considered a welfare measure, various rational policies do not emerge," and added, "The review of the supplementary budget bill by the standing committee and the Budget and Accounts Committee should be conducted as swiftly as possible so that it can be implemented in early May."

Both ruling and opposition parties promised to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens during the election campaign. The Democratic Party is accelerating efforts to provide 1 million won in disaster relief funds per four-person household by next month at the latest. The Democratic Party believes the supplementary budget bill should be processed by the 29th. The United Future Party pledged to provide 500,000 won per individual but stated that the funds should be sourced by reallocating this year’s budget rather than issuing government bonds. The Minsaeng Party demands cash payments of 500,000 won per person and 2 million won per four-person household. The government, concerned about fiscal capacity, maintains a plan to provide disaster relief funds to the bottom 70% income bracket but is reportedly waiting to observe the National Assembly discussions.

Discussions between the ruling and opposition parties on the 'Telegram Nth Room Prevention Act' are also expected to gain momentum. Previously, the Democratic Party promised to pass the three laws to prevent recurrence of the Nth Room incident (amendments to the Criminal Act, Sexual Violence Punishment Act, and Information and Communications Network Act) in the 20th National Assembly, and the United Future Party also expressed willingness to actively pursue legislative measures. Additionally, the handling of non-controversial livelihood bills pending in the 20th National Assembly is expected to be discussed. The floor leaders of both parties plan to meet in the afternoon after the supplementary budget policy speech to exchange views on current issues.