Lee Nak-yeon "What if COVID worsens after disaster relief payments are made?"

"COVID-19 Situation Fluid... Strengthening Quarantine Measures Over Disaster Relief Funds Needed"

On the 18th, Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jeong Gwan-yong Imnida.' / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the political debate over the method of distributing the second round of disaster relief funds, saying, "What will we do if the COVID-19 situation worsens due to the distribution of disaster relief funds?" and added, "This is not the time to get caught up in such controversies."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 26th, Lee said, "If the situation worsens, it may become a state that cannot be resolved by disaster relief funds."

He emphasized, "Since the situation is very fluid, rather than focusing on such controversies, it is right to strengthen quarantine measures to minimize damage without moving to level 3 social distancing. It is not right to prioritize the method or amount of disaster relief fund distribution without considering this."

Regarding the 4th supplementary budget, Lee said, "No one knows for sure whether this will be the last time. The government's position is to observe and then make a judgment, and I think that judgment is correct."

He continued, "The situation now is different from when the first disaster relief funds were distributed. At that time, spending was adjusted within the existing budget by reallocating funds from various areas, but now the funds are completely depleted. Since we have to borrow money to prepare disaster relief funds, we must seriously consider protecting the treasury."

However, Lee added, "More importantly, because the COVID-19 situation itself is fluid, pre-determined plans may not fit the situation."

Regarding Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province and Representative Park Jumin's claims that the second disaster relief funds should be distributed to all citizens, he said, "The main argument is that consumption is too depressed, so we need to revive it with money. But if people receive money and go out to consume a lot, what will happen to COVID-19? Such concerns are natural."