與 Jo Jeong-sik "Voluntary Donations, Expecting Public Cooperation" vs 野 Kim Jae-won "Is the State a Civic Group?"

Jojung-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea (left) and Kim Jae-won, Policy Committee Chairman of the United Future Party (right). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 23rd, Cho Jeong-sik, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Jae-won, Policy Committee Chair of the United Future Party, showed differing views regarding the scope of emergency disaster relief funds for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Chair Cho sought the opposition party's cooperation, stating that 100% payment is possible by reducing the financial burden through voluntary donations, while Chair Kim criticized it as running the government while receiving sponsorships.

In a phone interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day, Chair Cho said, "We can reduce the scale of national bond issuance through voluntary donations," adding, "If a social atmosphere is formed where those who are better off and more capable donate to help those in need, it might be effective in saving national finances."

He said, "We have the experience and strength of cooperating with the people through the gold collection campaign during the IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis, so there will be national capability and wisdom to overcome this together," and added, "This is the first time we are experiencing a national disaster situation, so all citizens are equally feeling inconvenience and pain. There will be national capability and wisdom to overcome this together."

Regarding the opposition party's criticism that voluntary donations are a mockery of the people and divisive, Chair Cho rebutted, "There were criticisms that selective payment to 70% divides the people," and said, "Calling donations a mockery belittles the spirit of sharing and donation and devalues sincere contributions."

He also pointed out, "The United Future Party keeps changing its stance. During the last general election, the party leader said to provide payments to all citizens, then Floor Leader Shim Jae-cheol said they would accept it if the party and government reach an agreement, but now they are asking to submit a revised proposal again."

In response, Chair Kim criticized, "Distributing support funds to the people while covering the costs through donations is not a normal way to run a country," and said, "I felt like the government is being run like a civic organization."

He added, "Even in an emergency, the National Assembly is clearly operating. There are legal ways to provide payments, so there is no need to operate in a way that has never been proposed in the Constitution or laws," and pointed out, "Currently, such a method does not exist under tax law."

He further emphasized, "Currently, both ruling and opposition parties agree on distributing 1 million won each to the bottom 70% income group, but when it comes to giving 1 million won each to the top 30% income group, the funding is to be raised through national bond issuance and then donated back to the state. Of course, quite a few people may participate in donations, but many may not agree. If the country demands donations now and those who do not comply are treated as bad people, that is not the right way."

Regarding the Democratic Party's claim of a 'flip-flop controversy,' Chair Kim rebutted, "They suggested adjusting a 100 trillion won budget item because there are many budgets that cannot be used now, but they never proposed issuing national bonds and distributing money like Bong-i Kim Seon-dal of the Democratic Party."

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