Ahn Cheol-soo: "President Moon, Do You Want 20,000 Won... I Cannot Support This Supplementary Budget"

"Using the Psychology of Wanting Freebies... Don't Be Deceived, People"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 10th regarding the '20,000 won nationwide communication fee payment,' “Do President Moon Jae-in and Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, want to receive 20,000 won?” He added, “Is it okay to recklessly spend national funds and taxpayers' money like this? I do not want to receive it.”

On the same day, Ahn said on Facebook, “In short, it is a calculation to buy the hearts of the people for 20,000 won ahead of Chuseok,” and “Are you really planning to throw a party for the regime by borrowing national debt?”

He stated, “Emergency livelihood support should be given even a single penny more to self-employed people and small business owners who have been directly hit by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), those employed there, and those living in blind spots who are struggling and desperate.”

He continued, “If there is still room after that, it is better to support each child from difficult families who find it burdensome to buy equipment necessary for remote classes with a 100,000 won tablet loaded with proper educational programs,” adding, “If payment is made to 1.62 million students, based on the bottom 30% of the 5.39 million elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide, it can be resolved with about 150 billion won, not 900 billion won.”

Ahn said, “For some, 20,000 won is money that can be spared or not. A normal government would save that money and use it to support those who are truly difficult and struggling,” and “Why ignore those in need and pour money even on those who do not need it? The People’s Party was the first to propose the 4th supplementary budget, but we can never agree to such a supplementary budget.”

Ahn added, “Do not deceive the people with this worst policy that cleverly exploits the psychology of wanting to receive free money even when it is unnecessary,” and “This supplementary budget was made with difficulty by borrowing. Let the government and ruling party members who live comfortably lead by example and refuse the 20,000 won first. Let’s use that money first for emergency livelihood support for low-income families in difficulty, and for our children who cannot go to school, have no money to buy study materials, and cannot properly receive remote classes.”

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