Presidential Candidates Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung Hold Divergent Views on 'Disaster Relief Fund' Approach

Gyeonggi-do Disaster Relief Fund 2nd Payment Officialized
Lee Jae-myung "Issue of Political Decision, Not Budget Shortage"
Lee Nak-yeon "Must Consider Quarantine with Central Government"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at the nomination management committee meeting for the April 7 by-elections held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The ruling party's presidential candidates, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, have expressed conflicting views on the method of distributing disaster relief funds. As a result, some interpret this as a kind of psychological battle between presidential candidates over the distribution method. Lee Nak-yeon emphasized selective distribution, while Lee Jae-myung stressed universal distribution.

On the 21st, regarding the distribution of disaster relief funds, Lee Nak-yeon appeared on JTBC Newsroom and said, "In the situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), selective support is appropriate," adding, "There is a basic guideline that the party has informed not only Gyeonggi Province but also local governments nationwide. It is to proceed together with the central government considering the quarantine situation," indirectly criticizing Lee Jae-myung's claim for universal disaster relief payments to Gyeonggi residents.

Lee Nak-yeon said, "Regarding the distribution of disaster relief funds, the President mentioned four points at the New Year's press conference," and explained, "First, now is not the time to talk about the 4th disaster relief fund. Second, selective support is appropriate in the COVID-19 situation. Third, if COVID-19 calms down, universal support can be considered as a way to comfort all citizens. Fourth, if the support from the central government is insufficient, local governments can step in."

He continued, "We discussed under that policy direction," and added, "The Governor of Gyeonggi Province also said he would carefully consider the timing while taking the quarantine situation into account. There is no difference with the party."

Last November, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, conducted a report and discussion on major current issues of departments at the expanded executive meeting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.
Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 19th, Lee Nak-yeon criticized Lee Jae-myung's push for universal disaster relief payments to all residents, saying, "We are currently under social distancing, so telling people to consume is like turning on the left blinker and going right." On the 21st, he again criticized Lee Jae-myung's universal distribution plan, which is interpreted as a call for Lee Jae-myung's 'support fund philosophy' to align with President Moon Jae-in's state governance philosophy and the party's internal standards.

The day before, Lee Jae-myung officially announced the payment of the 2nd Gyeonggi Province disaster basic income. At an online press conference, he stated, "Considering the severe and urgent economic situation due to COVID-19, the decline in confirmed cases, quarantine capacity, and citizens' compliance with quarantine, the prompt payment of the 2nd disaster basic income is necessary and feasible."

Previously, on the 19th, Lee Jae-myung emphasized on his Facebook, "Ultimately, whether to pay disaster relief funds is not a matter of budget shortage but a political decision about policy necessity and budget priority," stressing that budget is not an issue for universal disaster relief payments.

Lee Jae-myung also indirectly responded to Lee Nak-yeon by saying, "I saw that Leader Lee consumes at local bakeries and even posts certification photos, so it doesn't seem like he is trying to block consumption itself."

However, regarding the timing of the 2nd disaster basic income payment in Gyeonggi Province, Lee Jae-myung said, "It is necessary and feasible to pay immediately after the Gyeonggi Provincial Council's resolution, but respecting the Democratic Party leadership's recommendation, we will closely monitor the quarantine trend and decide as soon as possible without hindering quarantine."

He added, "Some within the Democratic Party have expressed concerns about regional equity and disruption to quarantine activities, so after the proposal to the Provincial Council, we have engaged in intense discussions and deliberations for nearly ten days to harmonize health quarantine and economic quarantine to achieve the best outcome. However, it was difficult to find evidence supporting the claim that it would hinder quarantine."