Chairman Kim In-ho Proposes 'Free Kindergarten Meals' to Seoul City... "Caution Needed for 'Seoul-style Social Distancing'"

"Ansim Income, We Need to Consider Expanding the Scope of Benefits"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, emphasized at the first plenary session held after Mayor Oh Se-hoon's inauguration that the expansion of free meals in kindergartens should be considered, and that the 'Seoul-style social distancing' must be approached cautiously to avoid setbacks in COVID-19 prevention measures.

On the 19th, during the opening remarks of the 300th extraordinary plenary session held that afternoon, Chairman Kim stated, "We need to consider free meals in kindergartens so that young children are not excluded from warm meals," adding, "Free meals in kindergartens should not be seen simply as completing free meal provision but as one of the phased policies to reduce the burden of education." He continued, "For the future in this era of low birth rates, public solidarity must be further expanded."

He also pointed out that the scope of beneficiaries for the 'Safe Income' policy pledged by Mayor Oh should be expanded. The Safe Income system guarantees 50% of the amount below the median income to Seoul citizens whose income is below 100% of the median income.

Chairman Kim said, "If there are losses among self-employed individuals that cannot be compensated even with disaster relief funds, they should be continuously categorized, and ways to increase the consumption capacity of all citizens should be considered," adding, "If Mayor Oh's Safe Income ultimately aims for a basic income, I propose considering expanding the range of support beneficiaries this year."

Furthermore, regarding the 'Seoul-style social distancing' that Mayor Oh has been promoting since his inauguration, he emphasized the need for caution to avoid setbacks in current COVID-19 prevention measures.

Chairman Kim stated, "To completely end COVID-19, we must wisely and cool-headedly judge which measures could be shortcuts and whether there are any side effects," and added, "The new social distancing method must be handled with utmost caution to prevent complacency that could cause the situation to regress."

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim said, "The Seoul Metropolitan Council and the Seoul city government must not build walls of political parties and ideologies," and added, "Based on mutual trust and cooperation, we will always accompany the steps toward a stronger and safer Seoul."