Lee Jae-myung Supports Opposition's 35 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget... Proposes Emergency Meeting of Presidential Candidates (Update)

"35 Trillion Won Secured as Next Government's Funding"
"Urgent Meeting Proposed to All Presidential Candidates for Swift Support of Small Business Owners and Self-Employed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed agreement on the People Power Party's supplementary budget proposal worth 35 trillion won to support small business owners and self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19 on the 21st, and proposed an emergency meeting of all presidential candidates.

On the morning of the same day, Candidate Lee held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly and stated, "I fully agree with and welcome the People Power Party's proposal for a supplementary budget worth 35 trillion won to support small business owners and self-employed individuals." He added, "Since the next government will execute the budget after May anyway, I propose an emergency meeting of all presidential candidates so that the current government does not bear the burden and the 35 trillion won can be secured as resources of the next government, enabling swift support for small business owners and self-employed individuals this time."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is attending the emergency inspection meeting of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Special Committee titled "K-Quarantine! Evolving One Step Further with Scientific Quarantine" held at the National Assembly on the 21st, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Candidate Lee explained, "If all the candidates or parties who will form the next government agree, the necessary funds can be raised by the next government, and if all candidates who will take charge of the next government agree, the budget can be promptly allocated with a priority of 35 trillion won from the project budget. The detailed plan for securing the 35 trillion won can then be handled by the officials of the next government."

He said, "If there is affection for the people and sincerity regarding national survival and safety issues, it will never be rejected," adding, "If time is short, I think it is sufficient just to clearly indicate agreement."

In particular, he urged Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, saying, "You mentioned support of 50 trillion won and later said, 'I will do it if I am elected,' but then backed away. I earnestly request that this does not happen this time."

He continued, "I once again ask you to sincerely approach the pain in people's lives, especially the tragic reality where some even contemplate extreme choices and actually carry them out, with genuine sincerity."