Won Hee-ryong: "Disaster Relief Funds Should Remove Regional Restrictions and Be Paid in Cash"

Jeju Island, Government Proposal Announcement

On the morning of February 21, when the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred in Jeju, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong announced a statement containing measures to overcome the crisis following the first confirmed case in Jeju. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, stated on the 14th regarding the government's emergency disaster relief fund, "I propose to the government to abolish restrictions on the disaster relief fund so that all citizens can use it conveniently and to change the payment method to cash."

At a briefing held at the Jeju Provincial Government press room on the same day, Governor Won said, "The restriction on the usage area should be lifted so that citizens can use the relief fund in their current place of residence."

He continued, "There are many complaints from citizens due to the government's disaster relief fund payment locations and usage methods," and pointed out, "The government says the emergency disaster relief fund is intended to revitalize the local economies of each city and province, but by restricting the usage period and area, there are policy blind spots."

He argued, "It is necessary to promptly improve the system so that citizens can use the relief fund in the relevant area by simply submitting documents that can prove their resident registration address."

He also said, "As the COVID-19 economic crisis has lasted for about three months, many citizens are facing threats to their livelihoods," and emphasized, "For citizens who urgently need cash for utility bills, communication fees, credit card payments, and children's education expenses to endure this difficult time, cash is essential," advocating for the disaster relief fund to be paid in cash.

Meanwhile, the government's emergency disaster relief fund is being applied for and paid based on the resident registration address of the head of household as of March 29.

Therefore, if the address was changed after March 29, to use the relief fund, one must go back to the previous address to use the support funds.

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