President Lee Presides Over Emergency Cabinet Meeting on July 5, a Weekend
Reviews and Approves Supplementary Budget
Orders Comprehensive Measures on Industrial Accidents from All Ministries
Prime Minister Kim Minseok Attends for the First Time
"Communication, Speed, and Results Are the Three Pillars of State Affairs"
On July 5, a Saturday, President Lee Jaemyung presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan presidential office starting at 9 a.m., urging the swift execution of the supplementary budget. On the night of July 4, the National Assembly passed a supplementary budget bill totaling 31.7914 trillion won during a plenary session held on the last day of the June extraordinary session. This came 30 days after the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration and just 11 days after the government submitted the supplementary budget bill to the National Assembly.
At the Cabinet meeting, President Lee reviewed and approved the supplementary budget that had passed the National Assembly the previous day. A total of nine agenda items related to the supplementary budget were reviewed and approved, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported its plan for implementing the livelihood recovery consumption coupon program. In his opening remarks, President Lee stated, "This is the first supplementary budget of the new administration, and it was urgently prepared in consideration of the extremely difficult national economic situation. Therefore, it must be executed as quickly as possible so that it can serve as a catalyst for improving people's lives on the ground." He added, "I ask all relevant ministries to do their utmost to ensure that the budget is executed as swiftly as possible."
Regarding the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's plan for distributing the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, which was reported that day, spokesperson Kang Yoojeong conveyed that President Lee requested meticulous administrative management to prevent any confusion during the distribution process.
President Lee also called for a comprehensive policy on industrial accidents. He said, "Our country has the highest rate of industrial accidents and fatalities in the world," and emphasized, "This is not a task for the Ministry of Employment and Labor alone; all ministries must work together. Please compile a comprehensive policy that includes measures to prevent industrial accidents?especially serious accidents resulting in fatalities?and to ensure accountability after such incidents." He further instructed, "Please organize a thorough report on the current situation, the measures that can be taken immediately, and, if necessary, legislative changes to the system, and present it at a future Cabinet meeting."
President Lee also stated, "I have asked for reports from major public enterprises as well as external agencies. In addition to public enterprises, we should also consider conducting a review of affiliated organizations when the opportunity arises."
Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who received his letter of appointment on July 4, also attended the Cabinet meeting. President Lee said, "As you are now in a position to oversee the administration of the Republic of Korea, I ask you to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly." He emphasized three key elements for state affairs.
President Lee explained, "First, the responsibility is to safeguard our national community and ensure security. Second, it is to maintain internal order so that all members of the nation are treated fairly and respectfully according to minimum common rules. Third, it is the responsibility to improve the livelihoods of our citizens so they can lead better lives than before." He added, "I once again ask the Cabinet, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to unite as one and do your utmost to help the country overcome the various crises it faces, so that the people can have hope and dream of a happy future."
In response, Prime Minister Kim said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility," and continued, "I have pledged to serve as the chief aide in realizing the President's policy direction. I believe communication, speed, and results are the three core elements of President Lee Jaemyung's administration. I will do my best to ensure that we achieve results quickly through effective communication."
Meanwhile, the second supplementary budget bill of the year, which passed the National Assembly the previous day, was initially set at 30.5 trillion won but was increased by a net 1.3 trillion won during the review process. Overall, 2.4 trillion won was added to certain items, while 1.1 trillion won was cut from others.
The supplementary budget includes 12.1709 trillion won allocated for the livelihood recovery consumption coupon program. As a result, residents in the Seoul metropolitan area will receive consumption coupons ranging from 150,000 to 500,000 won (according to the government plan), depending on their income. Residents outside the metropolitan area and in depopulated regions will receive an additional 30,000 won compared to the government plan. For non-metropolitan residents, the support will increase from 150,000-500,000 won to 180,000-530,000 won, and for residents in depopulated (rural and fishing) areas, the amount will increase from 170,000-520,000 won to 200,000-550,000 won.
The government plans to complete the first round of consumption coupon distribution to all citizens within this month. In addition, within two months, an extra 100,000 won will be provided to the bottom 90% of the population, based on health insurance premiums and other criteria.
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