Budget Committee Comprehensive Policy Inquiry
"Telecommunication Budget Must Be Maintained... Data Usage Has Increased Significantly"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, said on the 18th that it would be "difficult for the government to accept" the ruling party People Power Party's demand for free nationwide influenza vaccination.
Deputy Prime Minister Hong expressed this position while attending the comprehensive policy inquiry on the 4th supplementary budget bill at the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Special Committee on the same day.
He explained, "In the last supplementary budget, we already secured an additional 19 million doses of vaccines, including essential vaccination targets such as pregnant women and children," adding, "11 million doses were left for self-payment so that those who need them in the market can purchase them." He also said, "If all are provided free of charge, even those who can purchase on their own in the market will face obstacles."
Regarding the opposition parties, including the People Power Party, demanding a review of the policy to provide "20,000 won for communication fees" to all citizens aged 13 and over, he maintained the original plan, stating, "As non-face-to-face activities have expanded, data usage has increased significantly, and we discussed various alternatives based on the judgment that the burden of communication fees has increased."
In response to criticism that the 1 billion won budget allocated for a temporary center operating for two months to distribute communication fees is wasteful, he said, "To execute 900 billion won, we included the minimum cost necessary to operate properly," adding, "Since there is no dedicated system yet and the system is not in place, it is unavoidable to ensure the fastest delivery."
Regarding the opposition's claim that the government is compensating for the losses of telecommunications companies due to arrears and non-payment by providing 20,000 won support, he said, "It is not appropriate to give losses with taxpayers' money," emphasizing, "The purpose is to alleviate the communication fee burden on the people, not to support telecommunications companies. Although there are such criticisms, there is no such intention, and it is a misunderstanding."
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