Vice Minister Ki Jae: "Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures to be Announced Next Week... Focus on Protecting Vulnerable Groups and Stabilizing Prices for Ordinary People" (Comprehensive)

Kim Yong-beom, First Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance (second from the left), is presiding over the "2nd Innovation Growth Strategy Review Meeting, Policy Review Meeting, and Korean New Deal Review TF Meeting" held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 15th, delivering opening remarks.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Kim Yong-beom, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, announced on the 15th that "'Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures' will be prepared and announced next week."

At the '2nd Innovation Growth Strategy Review Meeting, Policy Review Meeting, Korean New Deal Review Meeting, and 1st Price-related Vice Ministers Meeting' held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Vice Minister Kim said, "Considering the situation of our economy that has passed through the dark and long tunnel of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the meaning of 'starting again' that Lunar New Year brings feels more precious and urgent than ever," adding, "We will prepare Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures to ensure that the new determination for this year's economic rebound is smoothly implemented in the livelihood field."

Vice Minister Kim stated, "Recently, the economy of ordinary people is facing more difficult circumstances than ever due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, severe cold waves, and the spread of avian influenza (AI) overlapping," and added, "While prioritizing policy efforts on quarantine and safety, we will also focus on protection and support for vulnerable groups affected by the cold wave."

He also expressed, "Concerns about the burden of food prices have been raised due to increased demand for home-cooked meals from social distancing, poor agricultural yields, and the spread of AI. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, we will expand the supply of major seasonal products and strengthen efforts to stabilize livestock product prices, focusing on stabilizing prices for ordinary people."

Vice Minister Kim emphasized, "We will also strengthen efforts to create momentum for our economy's rebound through the Lunar New Year holiday," adding, "We will mobilize all available policy measures, such as revitalizing traditional markets centered on non-face-to-face methods, so that small business owners and local merchants, who are deeply distressed, can feel the warm atmosphere of the holiday even a little."

At the meeting, the 'Progress of the Green Smart Future School Initiative' was also discussed. Vice Minister Kim said, "The non-face-to-face economy triggered by COVID-19 is spreading digitalization at an unprecedented speed and creating policy changes toward green transition," adding, "The educational environment must also be changed so that students can directly experience the changes of the times as they grow."

The government's Green Smart Future School project is a representative digital and green New Deal convergence task that converts 2,835 old school buildings, which are over 40 years old, into future-oriented school spaces by 2025.

Vice Minister Kim explained, "We plan to strengthen the digital capabilities of teachers and students by building a digital education infrastructure that enables various class activities such as wireless network construction, replacement of outdated PCs, interactive remote classes, and blended classes combining online and offline," adding, "We will use eco-friendly building materials considering students' health and create zero-energy schools by utilizing solar power generation, making schools places for environmental education and teaching materials."

He continued, "In the design process, participation from students, teachers, and others will be involved so that schools can become spaces for rest, play, and communication reflecting life beyond simple classrooms," and added, "We will do our best to create future schools that students, faculty, and parents want, moving away from standardized school spaces of the past."