President Moon Holds Meeting with Ruling Party Freshmen Lawmakers: "Heartbroken by People's Suffering... Must Demonstrate Innovation and Dynamism"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The group of first-term lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, known as ‘Deomincho,’ held a meeting with President Moon Jae-in on the 3rd. At the meeting, President Moon reportedly said, “There have been certain economic achievements, but as president, my heart aches because of the suffering of the people,” and added, “I ask for proactive policy proposals that demonstrate innovation and dynamism.”

Ko Young-in, the chairperson of Deomincho’s steering committee, held a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office in the afternoon and conveyed, “President Moon said he expects various policy proposals to give more hope to the people.”

Ko stated, “We requested the president to address fairness and housing stability for young people, as well as emergency support measures for unemployed individuals not covered by employment insurance and small business owners,” and added, “During this extraordinary time of COVID-19, we asked him to ensure that the fiscal authorities do not focus solely on locking up the treasury.”

He continued, “Several lawmakers also urged the president that the Ministry of Economy and Finance should expand fiscal spending more actively during disasters,” and noted, “Lawmaker Lee Tan-hee said that we must approach this with the determination to allocate wartime-level finances.”

At the meeting, various policy proposals were made, including a national responsibility system for youth employment where the central and local governments take charge of work support for young people who have applied for jobs, balanced national development, expansion of vaccine leave, and compensation for damages to small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, Ko reported.

There was also discussion related to the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). Ko said, “Lawmaker Chun Jun-ho spoke about the need for a bold organizational atmosphere and personnel renewal concerning LH.” There were no questions related to former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Regarding the current issue of retroactive application of loss compensation for small business owners, Deomincho conveyed to President Moon that “decisive and innovative support measures are required during disaster periods.”