Hong Nam-ki "Switching Dining Coupons to Contactless Use... Including Delivery Apps" (Update)

The 21st Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting and the 6th Korean New Deal Related Ministers Meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki is delivering opening remarks while presiding over the "6th Korean New Deal Ministerial Meeting and the 21st Central Emergency Economic Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting" held on the 26th at the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated on the 26th, "We will consider including 'delivery applications' in the scope of dining-out coupons and explore non-face-to-face coupon options that can be used even when social distancing levels are raised."

On this day, Deputy Prime Minister Hong made these remarks while presiding over the '21st Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting and the 6th Korean New Deal Ministerial Meeting' held at the Government Seoul Office.

Hong Nam-ki explained, "We will operate consumption coupons, such as the transition of dining-out coupons to non-face-to-face use, in a limited manner within the possible scope, and prepare in advance to resume issuance when quarantine levels are eased. The final event of the domestic demand promotion relay, the Christmas Market (December 19?27), will also be shifted to an online-centered format to proceed without any issues."

The government also plans to proactively prepare for the execution of 1.03 million direct jobs budgeted for next year. In particular, for the senior job program, which has already begun preparation procedures (740,000 in 2020 → 800,000 in 2021), recruitment will be conducted as much as possible within this year.

Fiscal policy will push for additional spending and actively address logistics issues in the export sector. To ensure that fiscal policy continues to play a role in economic support until the end, more than 4 trillion won in additional spending will be pursued by reducing unused budgets in central and local governments. Furthermore, to resolve export logistics difficulties, five emergency vessels will be added in December, and transportation capacity will be expanded by securing dedicated volumes for small and medium shippers (350 TEU per week).

Deputy Prime Minister Hong said, "Overall, it is essential that the budget for next year be finalized within the legal deadline (December 2) so that COVID-19 quarantine measures, economic policies, and direct job budgets can be implemented without any gaps from the start of next year. We ask for the National Assembly's active cooperation."