Lee Jae-myung: "Will Secure 50 Trillion Won Compensation and Support Budget After Election"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 28th that he would secure about 50 trillion won through an emergency financial order or additional supplementary budget after the presidential election.

On the afternoon of the same day, at a meeting with the Korean Medical Association, Candidate Lee said, "The government has proposed a supplementary budget of 14 trillion won to support small business owners and self-employed individuals, but this is far from enough," emphasizing the need for additional funds.

He added, "Before the election, we will do our best to secure at least 35 trillion won through negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties," and stressed, "Regardless of the outcome, we will secure about 50 trillion won after the presidential election to be used for COVID-19 prevention, economic revitalization, and compensating the public for economic damages."

In addition to the additional budget, Candidate Lee mentioned the spread of the Omicron variant, stating, "There is a need to establish a flexible quarantine system," and explained, "It will be difficult to continue strict measures such as rapid contact tracing, perfect testing, and full isolation treatment. Experts are increasingly judging that such strict measures are unnecessary. We need to build a smart and scientific quarantine system."

He also said, "The government’s quarantine system is changing, and medical professionals play an important role in this," adding, "A system centered on local clinics for diagnosis and treatment should be introduced."

Regarding this, he said, "There is a task to create an environment where frontline doctors can participate in diagnosis and treatment actively without anxiety. A special committee is preparing for this, and consultations with the government will be held, but the state must never shift its responsibilities onto the private sector," and mentioned medical personnel compensation, saying, "The head of the headquarters should pay special attention to ensure that frontline medical institutions do not suffer stress due to lack of support and compensation."

Regarding vaccination, he pointed out, "From the perspective of individuals, receiving vaccines multiple times, which they do not particularly want, is a sacrifice and contribution," and emphasized, "Sufficient support, compensation, and economic revitalization policies are necessary."