Political Circles' Disaster Relief Fund Non-Application... Ruling Party 'Donation' Opposition Party 'Abandonment'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] As applications for the emergency disaster relief fund to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) began on the 11th, the political sphere has started to join the non-application movement. However, the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, reached a consensus on 'voluntary donation,' while opposition party lawmakers, including the United Future Party, have shown differences in reasons for non-application, such as 'rapid increase in national debt,' and have given up on applying.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, and other party leaders attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Before the meeting began, they signed to donate emergency disaster relief funds and posed for a photo. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 11th, the Democratic Party leadership, including leader Lee Hae-chan, signed an agreement at the Supreme Council meeting to donate the entire amount by not applying for the disaster relief fund, stating, "We want to participate in full donation so that it is used where national livelihood stabilization and economic recovery are needed." Key figures in the ruling party, such as President Moon Jae-in, Lee Nak-yeon, chairman of the COVID-19 National Crisis Overcoming Committee, and Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam Province, had also expressed their intention to donate the disaster relief fund, so the ruling party effectively agreed on 'voluntary donation.'

On the same day, 68 newly elected Democratic Party lawmakers, including Ko Young-in and Yang Hyang-ja, also expressed their intention to donate. They said, "We fully support the government's measures to revive the livelihood economy in crisis," adding, "The spirit of solidarity and coexistence shown at every historic turning point has made us stronger. We are confident that our collective small contributions will become a catalyst for overcoming the COVID-19 national crisis."

On the other hand, opposition lawmakers, including those from the United Future Party, are taking the stance of 'giving up' rather than 'voluntary donation,' leaving the decision to individual lawmakers rather than uniting on donation as a party policy. United Future Party lawmakers have criticized the Democratic Party's voluntary donation. Lawmaker Jang Je-won pointed out, "Is a citizen who returns the money after receiving it a good citizen?"

Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party who was elected as an independent in the April 15 general election, stated on his Facebook on the same day, "The national debt has already exceeded 42% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and is heading toward the 45% range," adding, "I have decided not to apply for the relief fund. Since the last general election, I have urged that the national budget should not be used like this but should be used to rebuild the economy."

United Future Party lawmaker Kim Moo-sung also declared on the 29th of last month that he would refuse to receive the emergency disaster relief fund, saying, "I oppose 100% emergency disaster relief fund. Someone must speak and act rightly against the country going in the wrong direction." Not only the United Future Party but also Park Ji-won of the Minsheng Party stated, "It would be better not to apply to reduce administrative costs," and said he would not receive the support fund.

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