Choo Mi-ae "88% of Disaster Relief Funds Distributed, Extremely Disappointing"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is giving a policy presentation at the 'Policy Unpack Show' presentation (PT) interview held on the 7th at Yeon Studio in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae criticized the disaster relief fund payment criteria for overcoming COVID-19, which was finalized at the bottom 88% income level, saying it was "extremely disappointing."

Choo, who had advocated for disaster relief payments to all citizens, posted on her Facebook on the 24th with the title "88% National Disaster Relief Fund Passed, Are You Satisfied?" expressing her views.

Choo wrote, "Overnight, the National Assembly passed the supplementary budget," adding, "It was expected, but I am extremely disappointed that the disaster relief fund for all citizens was not realized." She continued, "The government's original proposal was 80%, but it was raised to 88%, so should we be happy?" and added, "Thinking about how the ruling and opposition parties bargained back and forth over the numbers while the people are in the COVID-19 crisis just makes me angry."

She also said, "The National Assembly's decision to support only the bottom 88% of citizens effectively shows that the government's 80% selective support plan was a weak and illogical trick solely to block 'universal support'."

Furthermore, she criticized the ruling party, saying, "Although the Democratic Party had confirmed 100% support for all citizens as its party stance, it is regrettable that they too easily gave up, using the government's and opposition's opposition as an excuse."

She added, "Universal support embodies the identity of universal welfare that the Democratic Party has fought to achieve," and said, "In the face of a disaster that the whole society is enduring, the people are one. I cannot understand why we have to divide the people by income and label them as upper or lower."

Choo concluded her post by saying, "Isn't it possible to give it like the Democratic Party, pleasantly and comfortably for the people? It's a frustrating weekend morning."

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae criticized the bipartisan agreement to provide disaster relief funds to the bottom 88% income earners on her Facebook on the 24th.
[Photo by Facebook]

On the same day, the National Assembly approved a second supplementary budget (supplementary budget) worth 34.9 trillion won, which includes disaster relief payments of 250,000 won per person to 88% of the population, excluding the top 12% high-income earners.

The eligibility criteria are annual income of 50 million won or less for single-person households, 86 million won or less for dual-income two-person households, 124.36 million won or less for dual-income four-person households, and 105.32 million won or less for single-income four-person families.

Additionally, the Hope Recovery Fund for small business owners affected by COVID-19 will be increased from the previous maximum of 9 million won to 20 million won. Bus drivers for chartered, intercity, and express buses, as well as taxi drivers who were not previously included in the support target, will also receive 800,000 won in support. However, the budget for the 'credit card cashback' program targeting high-income earners will be cut to 700 billion won.