Lee Nak-yeon "Party and Government Must Urgently Discuss 2nd Disaster Relief Payment"

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and candidate for party leader, stated that urgent discussions are needed regarding the payment of the second disaster relief fund.

On the evening of the 21st, Lee wrote on his Facebook, "Discussions have begun in the political sphere about providing the second disaster relief fund," and added, "I hope the Democratic Party and the government will urgently discuss the issue of the second payment of the disaster relief fund."

He acknowledged, "I recognize the reality that the government's financial situation is tight," but said, "The government's finances were able to cope without a supplementary budget until the flood damage, but how to handle the situation after the resurgence of COVID-19 has become another challenge."

He continued, "The suffering of people's livelihoods and the economic contraction due to the resurgence of COVID-19 require measures beyond the usual methods. We can no longer respond to this situation in the usual peacetime manner," and added, "A thorough review of the effects and issues of the first disaster relief fund payment, which was made to the entire population this spring, should also be conducted simultaneously."

Earlier, Park Joo-min, a member of the Democratic Party who is also running for party leader, proposed on the 20th that "the second emergency disaster relief fund payment is necessary" and suggested discussing it with Lee.

Meanwhile, at the request of the party leadership, the Democratic Party has decided to review the necessity of the second disaster relief fund payment and the preparation of the fourth supplementary budget at the policy committee level. On the morning of the same day, Seol Hoon, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "This is a time when the government's proactive role is important. We must promote the second emergency disaster relief fund to protect vulnerable groups and establish a domestic demand defense line."

Park Kwang-on, another Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said, "According to the household trend data for the second quarter released by Statistics Korea yesterday, the first income quintile saw an increase in public transfer income, easing income disparity. The government's disaster relief fund and expansion of emergency welfare have become the backbone of the social safety net," and added, "The crisis triggered by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon’s church has further threatened the livelihood of the first income quintile. This is why the National Assembly needs to prepare proactive and extraordinary measures."