Lee Jae-myung: "The 14 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget Is Insufficient... Please Increase the Scale"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, urged the National Assembly on the 14th to "significantly expand the supplementary budget for urgent support for self-employed businesses."

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee said on Facebook, "The government announced a supplementary budget plan worth 14 trillion won today. I appreciate the efforts made to prepare the budget, but it is very disappointing. The support for small business owners and self-employed people who urgently need aid is still far too insufficient."

He added, "I request a substantial increase during the National Assembly's review process," and said, "I believe that Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and the opposition will not oppose it since they promised to provide 50 trillion to 100 trillion won immediately after winning the election."

He continued, "I hope the discussions will speed up. Every day is urgent," and raised his voice, saying, "The government should also expedite the procedures, and the National Assembly should discuss it promptly."

Lee also addressed the government and opposition, saying, "We must act with the determination of saving Private Ryan. We need to save small business owners and the self-employed through large-scale support," emphasizing, "If we fail to save the people at the crossroads of survival immediately, there may not be another chance."

He added, "If the government does not agree to the National Assembly's request for an increase, I will immediately supplement it through a supplementary budget after the presidential election," and "I will continue to do my utmost to fulfill the government's constitutional duty to protect small business owners and the self-employed."