Sim Sang-jung Criticizes "Telecommunication Fee Payment? Ineffective Budget, Only to Appease Public Opinion"

Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, is attending the Executive Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea and the government's decision to provide a uniform 20,000 KRW communication fee payment to those aged 13 and over as "an ineffective budget and a means to appease public opinion."

On the morning of the 10th, at the party's executive committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Leader Sim said, "This plan, inserted without any context, is even absurd," and added, "It is difficult to approve such a budget as it is, which neither the recipients welcome nor stimulates consumption or economic effects at all."

She continued, "The budget is close to 1 trillion KRW, but this money does not circulate in the market; it goes straight to the telecommunications companies," and said, "Support for self-employed people, who should be prioritized, is too thin, while the communication fee support to appease public opinion is too shallow. I am worried that this might result in losing both the crab and the fish," urging, "I hope that even now, the supplementary budget will be increased and a decision will be made to provide disaster relief payments to all citizens."

She also stated, "The government and ruling party said they would provide customized support with the intention of giving stronger assistance to industries and groups that have been economically hit hard by the resurgence of COVID-19," but added, "The measures, which provide up to 2 million KRW, are far from enough to alleviate the suffering of self-employed people who are drowning in debt and facing a wave of business closures. Please use the communication fee support budget as originally intended by the government policy, to support the industries and groups that need stronger assistance."

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