Joo Ho-young: "The Supplementary Budget Content Is Wrong... Change 'Communication Fee Payment' to 'Flu Vaccination'"

Regarding the Istar Air Layoffs: "Democratic Party Must Resolve"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 11th regarding the 4th supplementary budget, "The content of the supplementary budget itself is very wrong," and added, "Collecting taxpayers' money to provide 20,000 won in communication fees to all citizens seems like spending nearly one trillion won without much meaning."

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Joo said, "They said communication fees would be provided because data and communication usage increased due to non-face-to-face telecommuting, but in reality, the communication fees paid by the public did not increase due to flat-rate plans," and added, "This is a clear case of moral hazard and financial irresponsibility with no effect. This point must be corrected during the Budget and Accounts Committee review process."

Floor Leader Joo said, "Many citizens have proposed that if the money is to be spent like that, free influenza vaccinations should be provided to all citizens. It is said that 30 million doses of vaccine are prepared. The government provides free vaccinations to those under 18 and over 62, totaling 19 million people, and there are 11 million doses left for others," and stated, "Since COVID-19 is not yet under control and the flu season overlaps, causing more problems, I will try to make adjustments during the Budget and Accounts Committee review process in that direction."

Regarding the layoffs at Eastar Jet, Floor Leader Joo criticized, "(Employees) have not received their salaries for several months, and they are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Eastar Jet did not pay 500 million won in employment insurance premiums, so the laid-off employees cannot all receive employment retention support funds," and said, "This is excessively harsh."

Floor Leader Joo added, "This issue should not be left to Representative Lee Sang-jik of the Democratic Party alone. If the Democratic Party always cares about the weak and the unemployed, they should solve this problem first," and said, "Ignoring this would be very inconsistent."

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