Lee Nak-yeon "Disaster Relief Fund Decision Next Week... Strict Management of Overseas Arrivals" (Comprehensive)

"'Preventing 'Corona Bankruptcy'... Expansion of Employment Retention Subsidy Eligibility'
'Accelerating Guarantee Review... Government Support to be Provided Within 2-3 Weeks Starting April'
'Some Overseas Entrants Not Following Quarantine Guidelines... Will Strictly Enforce Compliance'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party, the government, and the Blue House have decided to reach a conclusion by next week on direct support measures such as disaster basic income related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). They also announced strong measures against overseas entrants who do not follow quarantine guidelines.

On the morning of the 25th, Lee Nak-yeon, Chairman of the Democratic Party's COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Committee, said at a briefing immediately after the 4th Party-Government-Blue House meeting on COVID-19 response held at the National Assembly, in response to the question "Was there any discussion about emergency disaster relief funds?" that "A conclusion on livelihood support measures must be reached at the 3rd Emergency Economic Meeting next Monday," adding, "We have decided to hold close party-government consultations for that purpose this week."

He continued, "Discussions will be conducted at the working level, followed by a high-level party-government meeting to discuss the main framework," and requested, "I hope the party and government will closely cooperate on issues of direct support to the public, including disaster relief funds."

Regarding the target and scale of support, he said, "The direction on that must be discussed this week," and added, "The target and amount of support will be discussed afterward in order." On the second supplementary budget, Chairman Lee explained, "The second supplementary budget is almost a foregone conclusion, so we need to set the direction now," and said, "(That way) we can prepare in advance for whether to reflect it in the second supplementary budget."

Chairman Lee also emphasized, "We will ensure that there are no so-called 'COVID bankruptcies'." He said, "Many supplementary measures have been taken to ensure that support for small business owners and self-employed people through regional credit guarantees can be provided quickly," and added, "From April, support is expected to be provided within an average of 2 to 3 weeks."

He went on, "The government will announce today an expansion plan for employment retention," and said, "There were special employment support sectors, but for the time being, all sectors will be supported as if they were special support sectors." He also said, "We will expedite early orders for national projects that seem to be delayed on the ground," adding, "Even if they do not start immediately, by placing orders in advance, we will help ease the situation on the ground."

Regarding school reopening, he said, "April 6 is the school reopening date that has been postponed several times," and added, "I hope there will be no extraordinary circumstances that make it difficult to properly reopen schools." He continued, "After reopening, there should be no cases (of COVID-19) in schools," and requested, "For the sake of the children, I ask the public to endure the inconvenience and follow safety rules including social distancing."

He also emphasized measures for managing overseas entrants. Chairman Lee said, "The proportion of overseas entrants among new confirmed cases is surprisingly high," and added, "We will enforce stricter measures." He said, "Unfortunately, there are some who do not follow quarantine guidelines," and stated, "I believe it is right to firmly enforce the guidelines for such people."

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "I would like to once again ask the public," and added, "Many people went to the mountains and fields for flower viewing last weekend," emphasizing, "I understand the hearts of the people tired from COVID-19 over the past two months, but quarantine and safety come before flowers."

Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "We are focusing on blocking re-entry from overseas," and added, "We will establish a sustainable living quarantine system so that the public can return to daily life."

The party, government, and Blue House decided to continue unofficial discussions until the April 15 general election after this public meeting. Chairman Lee said, "Since the official election campaign period will soon begin, we will continue unofficial and private discussions so as not to influence the public's judgment on the election," and added, "Official party-government-Blue House discussions like today will resume after the April 15 general election."

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