Lee Nak-yeon "Disaster Relief Payments in March... Special Act on Gadeok New Airport to be Passed This Month"
[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in expressed support for Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the 4th round of disaster relief funds, stating that "support should be as broad and substantial as possible." At the same time, he mentioned the government's difficulties by asking the party to "consider the fiscal conditions." He also praised the party for minimizing the worsening of income inequality through active fiscal policies. Lee responded by pledging to expedite the distribution of disaster relief funds by next month.
On the morning of the 19th, President Moon held a meeting with the Democratic Party leadership at the Blue House, saying, "Although the party and the government may not have the same views from the start, the government will actively work to ensure that disaster relief measures minimize blind spots."
Attending the meeting were Lee Nak-yeon, floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon, Supreme Council members Kim Jong-min, Yeom Tae-young, Roh Woong-rae, Shin Dong-geun, Yang Hyang-ja, Park Hong-bae, and Park Sung-min, Policy Committee Chair Hong Ik-pyo, Chief Spokesperson Choi In-ho, and Secretary General Oh Young-hoon. This was the first time the new Democratic Party leadership, including the Supreme Council members, met with President Moon since Lee Nak-yeon's leadership began in August last year. It is known that the issue concerning the status of Shin Hyun-soo, the Blue House Chief of Civil Affairs, which had attracted attention, was not officially discussed.
President Moon said, "The 4th disaster relief fund under discussion should be as broad and substantial as possible because the damage has become widespread and deep due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," but also requested, "I hope the party will consider the fiscal conditions as well."
During the meeting, which also served as a New Year's greeting, President Moon praised the party's efforts in active fiscal policy. He emphasized, "The party took the lead in protecting the difficult lives of the people during the COVID-19 crisis," and "The party led more bold support measures and drove active fiscal policies through party-government-Cheong Wa Dae consultations."
President Moon evaluated that the party's efforts were reflected in the household trend survey released the previous day. He said, "Although earned income and business income decreased due to the economic downturn, transfer income increased significantly thanks to active and prompt fiscal policies," adding, "The fiscal distribution improvement effect reached 40%, playing a role in minimizing the worsening of income inequality during the crisis."
Regarding the Korean New Deal, he also praised, "The party played a significant role in establishing the Korean New Deal as a national development strategy by actively discovering creative ideas and flagship projects," and emphasized the legislative achievements by saying, "We can proudly say that this is the best performance ever achieved by the party-government-Cheong Wa Dae." He added, "The party is also actively leading the regional balanced New Deal, which will greatly help national balanced development and regional vitality," and said, "The government will place the regional balanced New Deal at the center of the Korean New Deal and strongly promote it."
Regarding Lee's promotion of the 'New Welfare System Vision' and the 'Win-Win Solidarity Three Laws,' President Moon said, "I think it is very meaningful," and evaluated, "It is the will to practice the spirit of the times to achieve recovery and leap forward based on the value of inclusion, and concretizing that will is the way to develop our society more inclusively."
President Moon also expressed gratitude to the party leadership, saying, "I am truly very thankful that the party has been led very well under Lee's leadership," and added, "I think there has never been a more stable appearance where our party is well united around the leader and leadership, and the party-government-Cheong Wa Dae create one heart through active discussions."
Lee Nak-yeon expressed gratitude for President Moon's invitation and pledged to expedite the supplementary budget (supplementary budget) formulation. He mentioned the need to support consumption stimulation after COVID-19.
Lee said, "We will expedite the supplementary budget formulation, including the COVID-19 disaster relief funds," and emphasized, "We will speed up so that disaster relief payments begin in March." He added, "I was greatly encouraged by the president's words to support vulnerable and affected groups more substantially and broadly," and added, "I also raise the need for support to comfort the people and stimulate consumption once COVID-19 subsides."
He also requested bold government support for the regional balanced New Deal. Lee said, "For national balanced development, the rapid rooting of the regional balanced New Deal is urgent," and added, "Especially, mega cities urgently need the formation of a super-regional living economic zone and the activation of regional SOC (social overhead capital) projects, and I request bold government support for these."
Lee emphasized the importance of the swift passage of the Korean New Deal and economic revitalization bills to lay the foundation for a greater leap this year. He said he would do his best to pass as many pending bills as possible in the February National Assembly session. In particular, he expressed his intention to pass corporate-related bills such as the Gadeok New Airport Special Act and the Asia Cultural City Special Act during the February extraordinary session.
Lee stressed that expanded fiscal policy is necessary this year to improve inequality. He said, "We will unite party efforts to promote the Win-Win Cooperation Three Laws," and added, "The Democratic Party will do its best to continue gaining public trust and advance history, cooperating with the government where necessary and demanding where required."
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