Lee Jae-myung "Disaster Relief Payments for All Citizens Are My Sincere Wish, But I Will Comply If Decided"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, warned not to exploit his views on the 2nd emergency disaster relief fund as a "shallow divide-and-conquer."

Furthermore, he emphasized that conservative media should not be obsessed with political strife now but should comfort and represent the lives of the struggling people. He also promised that, as a member of the government and the Democratic Party of Korea, he would faithfully follow the government's and ruling party's future decisions.

On the 6th, through Facebook, Governor Lee said, "At the high-level party-government meeting held just a moment ago, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced that 'a customized support plan will be prepared focusing on vulnerable employment groups, small business owners, and low-income groups who have suffered significant damage,'" adding, "Detailed criteria such as the scale and target of the support fund will be announced soon."

He continued, "Although there have been many discussions so far, I, too, as a member of the government and the party, will faithfully follow the final decisions of the government and the ruling party," emphasizing, "This is my unwavering loyalty."

Additionally, he stated, "I will lead the execution on the front lines so that national support measures can quickly reach the people," and sternly warned, "Conservative media and spies should no longer exploit my views as 'shallow divide-and-conquer.'"

Governor Lee also expressed regret over the situation where selective payment of the 2nd emergency disaster relief fund has become likely.

He said, "I have heard many stories of people staying awake all night with sighs and resentment after the news of selective payment," adding, "I, too, found it difficult to sleep for another reason, knowing well their pain and despair."

Furthermore, he added, "If the emergency disaster relief fund is meant to share the burden of the lives of our people in crisis and help them stand up, how should we bear the weight of those excluded from the selective payment criteria, and how should we embrace the resentment and anger that arise from not being able to bear it? As the highest administrative official responsible for the lives of 13.7 million people, I cannot help but deeply agonize over this even now."

He also emphasized, "The results of the 2nd selective payment, which differ from the 1st in terms of public anxiety, conflict, and damage to solidarity, could be much more serious and dangerous than policymakers think," adding, "Therefore, numerous scenarios and alternatives must be carefully and meticulously examined, and that is the role of the state to protect the lives of all sovereign citizens from crisis."

Governor Lee dismissed conflicts between himself and the government and ruling party regarding the 2nd disaster relief fund payment.

He said, "Many people talk about the easy path that is visible, but I could not ignore the heavy and painful reality and only talk about an optimistic future," adding, "This, too, is my loyalty to the government and ruling party and my duty as a bureaucrat."

Furthermore, he urged, "Please do not distort my loyalty and duty," and insisted, "The media should represent the lives of the struggling people, not political strife (now)."

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