Park Ji-won "Stronger Measures Like Banning Entry to China Should Have Been Taken... The Sooner the Supplementary Budget, the Better"

Park Ji-won, member of the Minsheng Party. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 25th, Park Jiwon, a member of the Minsaengdang party, said about the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, "The government should have taken strong measures such as banning entry from China."

Park appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Younghee's Start of a New Morning' that day and said, "Even from a foreign perspective, strong quarantine measures must be reinforced."

He said, "We also need to implement a supplementary budget (추경, additional budget) for quarantine and the livelihood economy," adding, "The president insisted that all emergency measures, including the activation of the emergency financial and economic command authority, should be taken, but it seems the government is moving a bit slowly."

When asked "When and how should the supplementary budget be implemented?" Park said, "The sooner, the better. During MERS, 11.7 trillion won was allocated, but I believe the current situation is more serious." He added, "Due to the COVID-19 situation, the economic conditions of China and Japan, our closest export partners, have worsened. We are a country that survives through trade, and if China and Japan are facing such economic collapse, I see a national crisis greater than the IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis approaching."

He then emphasized, "The president must establish all possible quarantine and livelihood economic measures, including the emergency financial command."

Also, regarding Pastor Jeon Gwanghoon, who forcibly held a rally around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul last weekend, Park said, "As a pastor, how could Pastor Jeon have said such inappropriate things? When I heard the news of his arrest yesterday, I thought it would be better for him to stay somewhere temporarily for COVID-19 prevention and for the sake of public order."

He continued, "Now, all gatherings, even small meetings, have been canceled, so how could he say 'If you come to worship, even the diseases you had will be cured'?" criticizing him.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.