Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok: "The 5th Disaster Relief Fund Should Be for All Citizens"

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, emphasized on the 22nd, "The second supplementary budget under government review is expected to focus on the 5th disaster relief fund, so we should actively propose a provincial-level alternative to provide payments to all citizens."

Governor Kim stated at the morning policy meeting with department heads, "The government is reviewing the second supplementary budget to support economic recovery and assist small business owners," adding, "We need to make proposals during the preparation stage before the policy is finalized."

He continued, "During the distribution of the 2nd to 4th disaster relief funds, some cities and counties independently provided universal payments, causing residents in other areas to feel relatively deprived," and noted, "Considering the poor local finances, payments should be made to all citizens fully funded by the national government, with separate tailored support for small business owners."

He also added, "In the case of the 4th disaster relief fund, persistent proposals to the government led to including farmers and fishermen as recipients. Taking this as a lesson, we must prepare provincial-level measures reflecting the difficulties of frontline residents and ensure they are incorporated into government policy."

Governor Kim had previously proposed at a meeting on the 10th with the Democratic Party leadership and Democratic Party-affiliated city and provincial governors that the 5th disaster relief fund be paid entirely by the national government to all citizens in the form of local currency as a measure to revitalize the people's economy.

Regarding citizen safety, he mentioned, "Major accidents such as the large-scale collapse in Gwangju and the fire at the Coupang logistics center are results of safety negligence," and said, "Learning from these, we must introduce a 'real-name system' to responsibly carry out all inspections, including special safety checks to prevent major accidents in the province."

He further urged, "We must thoroughly prepare for summer monsoons and typhoons, especially by establishing a flood control office and information-sharing system for the Yeongsan and Seomjin Rivers, enabling the province to take a leading role in response," and encouraged, "We should also prepare in advance for winter agricultural disasters such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and cold damage."

On the restructuring of social distancing, he said, "Jeonnam has the highest vaccination rate and relatively few confirmed cases, so from July 1, the level will be eased to Level 1. However, with the summer vacation season approaching, we must not let our guard down on quarantine measures," and urged, "Considering the rapidly spreading variant virus, comprehensive measures including quarantine precautions should be prepared and implemented before applying Level 1."

He added, "This year's supplementary budget has surpassed 10 trillion won for the first time ever, increasing by 3 trillion won compared to 2018, the first year of the 7th local government term, but essentially, the main office budget is not increasing; rather, more funds are being allocated to cities and counties," and said, "Since provincial matching funds are also increasing, placing a burden on provincial finances, the Democratic Party agrees that the temporary three-year compensation for transferring balanced national projects to local governments under the government's first fiscal decentralization should be made permanent. We must unite efforts to persuade the government."