Democratic Party's Lee Hak-young: "We Will Reconsider Nationwide Disaster Relief Payments"

Chairman Lee Hak-young of the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee delivers a welcoming speech at the 1st Industrial Technology Future Forum titled "Digital and Carbon Neutrality, the Path to the Future of K-Industry" held on the 22nd at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Lee Hak-young, a member of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, stated that he will reconsider the provision of nationwide disaster relief funds.

On the 23rd, during a meeting of the Democratic Party's Emergency Response Committee, Lee said, "Last year, through the one-time provision of nationwide disaster relief funds, we experienced a virtuous cycle effect where the local economy revived and domestic demand was activated," adding, "To overcome the prolonged economic downturn and revitalize the domestic economy, we will reconsider the provision of nationwide disaster relief funds."

He continued, "Based on the experience accumulated over the past year in distributing disaster relief funds on the ground, we will ensure that the funds are disbursed promptly." As the chairman of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, Lee said, "The damage suffered while cooperating for successful quarantine measures has reached a point where individuals can no longer bear it," and emphasized, "The government must support these people in accordance with their rightful expectations as much as possible."

He further stressed, "We will respond to the sacrifices of small business owners and self-employed individuals. We will do our best to provide financial and tax support so that every single person who has quietly cooperated with quarantine measures can be compensated without exception."

The Democratic Party had promoted nationwide disaster relief funds earlier this year, but as concerns over fiscal burden grew, selective payments focused on affected industries were made during the fourth round. In February, then-Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon said regarding nationwide support, "Support to stimulate domestic demand will be discussed while monitoring the COVID-19 situation."

It is reported that there has been no specific discussion within the Democratic Party about providing nationwide disaster relief funds even now. After the meeting, Democratic Party senior spokesperson Choi In-ho told reporters, "(Lee) expressed his usual opinion as an emergency response committee member and committee chairman of the Industry Committee, and there was no discussion."