Choi Jae-hyung Raises Voice for Small Business Owners: "Lift All Unscientific Quarantine Regulations"

People Power Party's presidential primary candidate Choi Jae-hyung is holding a press conference to share his thoughts and announce policies after concluding a meeting with self-employed business owners near Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 20th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Choi Jae-hyung, former head of the Board of Audit and Inspection and a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, has called for the complete removal of unscientific quarantine regulations to support self-employed workers and small business owners.

On the 20th, after a meeting with representatives of self-employed organizations in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, Choi issued a statement urging, "Under the pretext of strengthening COVID-19 quarantine measures, restrictions on our major and minor life events such as weddings and funerals, as well as unscientific and irrational business regulations imposed on small business owners and the self-employed, must be 'completely lifted.'"

Choi questioned, "What is the basis for saying that gathering four people at 10 a.m. is safe, but gathering four people at 10 p.m. is dangerous?" He criticized, "During rush hour, subways are packed with no space to stand, yet only restaurants, cafes, academies, and religious facilities are held responsible. Does that make sense?"

He continued, "Irresponsible governance ultimately ruins the lives of the people," emphasizing, "The daily life that should be naturally enjoyed is collapsing, and self-employed workers are driven to the edge of their livelihoods, leading to extreme choices."

Choi also requested a new quarantine policy from the government. He said, "Please present a more scientific, systematic, and publicly acceptable quarantine policy by September 30," explaining, "The longer the delay, the deeper the sighs of the people and the faster the downfall of self-employed workers."

He added, "'Blind quarantine policies' must stop now. We must move toward the 'With Corona' era," stating, "Before opposition to unscientific and irrational quarantine regulations spreads into a nationwide civil disobedience movement, the government must achieve a major shift in quarantine policy."

Meanwhile, during the meeting with representatives of the Self-Employed Solidarity and the National Self-Employed Association, Choi said, "Let's raise our voices together," and "Let's prepare practical measures to help the self-employed together."