Self-Employed Group: "We Followed Orders to Close... Compensation for Losses Should Be Applied Retroactively"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Self-employed groups claimed that they suffered damage due to gathering bans and restrictions, and argued that if the loss compensation system is legislated, the government should provide retroactive compensation for the damages.

The National Emergency Countermeasures Committee for Self-Employed in Response to COVID-19, consisting of 17 self-employed groups such as cafes and coin noraebang (coin karaoke rooms), held a meeting on the 9th at a party room in Mapo-gu, Seoul, with Justice Party lawmakers Shim Sang-jung and Bae Jin-gyo to discuss disaster compensation for COVID-19.

Gyeong Gi-seok, president of the Korea Coin Noraebang Association, said, "The state told us to close our doors for the country, and we complied faithfully," and criticized, "It is an act of state tyranny to prohibit business operations through gathering ban orders but refuse to apply compensation retroactively."

Kim Ki-hong, president of the National PC Cafe Countermeasures Federation, said, "Having faced gathering bans and even bankruptcy, it is bleak as it may take years to recover," adding, "We are not asking for a large sum, just some compensation." Ko Jang-su, president of the National Cafe Owners Federation, also insisted, "What we truly need now is not disaster relief funds but loss compensation corresponding to the pain endured and concessions made so far."

On the same day, the Justice Party emphasized its commitment to legislating retroactive application of loss compensation. Discussions related to COVID-19 loss compensation are ongoing in the political sphere, with the Justice Party advocating for retroactive application of damages. However, the government and ruling party have expressed difficulties citing fiscal limitations.

Lawmaker Shim said, "For sustainable quarantine measures in future recurring infectious disease disasters as well as COVID-19, a system for retroactive application of loss compensation is necessary." Lawmaker Bae also stated, "Support funds alone cannot solve the problems of self-employed people who have borne the brunt of suffering on the front lines of K-quarantine."