President Moon: "The 3rd Supplementary Budget Must Pass in June... Exploring Extraordinary Measures"

Kang Min-seok, Blue House Spokesperson [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in expressed concern over the delay in the review of the third supplementary budget (추경) due to the deadlock in the National Assembly's organizational negotiations, stating, "The public has already accepted the supplementary budget as a given, and there is not much disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties, so the passage of the supplementary budget in June must not fail," and added, "Extraordinary measures must be sought," the Blue House announced on the 21st.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, held a briefing at the press center in the afternoon and conveyed that President Moon said, "The longer the supplementary budget is delayed, the greater the suffering of the people." He repeatedly emphasized, "I earnestly urge the National Assembly to pass the supplementary budget within June."

The government submitted a third supplementary budget worth 35.3 trillion won to the National Assembly on the 4th to overcome the economic crisis caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, but due to delays in the organizational negotiations of the 21st National Assembly, the review has not even begun.

Spokesperson Kang explained the reasons why the supplementary budget must be passed, saying, "Once the supplementary budget is passed, 1.14 million people in the blind spots of employment insurance, such as special employment workers, freelancers, small business owners, and delivery workers, will receive 1.5 million won in cash per person," and "490,000 unemployed people will also be able to receive monthly unemployment benefits."

He also emphasized, "580,000 workers at companies facing temporary business difficulties will be able to receive stable leave allowances equivalent to 70% of their existing salaries without losing their jobs," adding, "The existing funds are expected to be exhausted around mid-July, which is why the prompt passage of the supplementary budget is urgent." He further explained the use of funds for job training academies, support for low-income households' living, medical, and housing expenses, and financial support for small business owners.

Spokesperson Kang stated, "Just by looking at the employment measures and small business support measures included in the supplementary budget mentioned so far, at least 3.9 million people in extreme situations can directly receive cash support or overcome livelihood crises by resolving financial difficulties," and stressed, "The National Assembly will not ignore the urgent situation of the people, but the problem is time. The longer it is delayed, the more the suffering of 3.9 million people in our country is extended by one more day."

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