Suncheon-si, Issue of Disaster Relief Fund Payment to All Citizens... Ordinance Under Legislative Notice Procedure

Some Controversies Raised by Certain Parties Are Not Based on Facts

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Regarding the controversy that the payment of 28.5 billion KRW in disaster relief funds of 100,000 KRW per citizen, which Suncheon City intended to provide to citizens and small business owners struggling due to COVID-19, was cut because “Suncheon City did not follow the legislative notice procedure for the Disaster Relief Fund Support Ordinance,” a claim has emerged that “this is not entirely true.”

On the 20th, at an emergency COVID-19 response meeting to resolve current issues attended by Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon City, National Assembly member So Byung-chul, Chairman Heo Yoo-in, and city council members, it was stated that now is not the right time to provide disaster relief funds to all citizens.

Mayor Heo said, “Currently, with social distancing at level 2, it is a time to minimize citizens’ movements,” and added, “Providing disaster relief funds to all citizens aims to stimulate consumption and revitalize the local economy, but it does not fit the current situation,” emphasizing that “the timing of the disaster relief fund payment will be discussed later.”

Accordingly, the controversy circulating that the 28.5 billion KRW disaster relief fund cannot be paid within this year due to Suncheon City’s absurd administrative handling is being pointed out as problematic.

Meanwhile, Mayor Heo Seok has shown willingness to provide disaster relief funds to all citizens since September.

On the other hand, a factional struggle to claim credit for the disaster relief funds has been unfolding behind the scenes within the local political circles, showing signs of escalating conflicts through public opinion and the media.

No citizen considers the second wave of the COVID-19 crisis hitting Suncheon City as anything but an “urgent situation.”

It is pointed out that if the disaster relief funds cannot be paid to all citizens due to failure to follow procedures, the Suncheon City Council would also be showing a self-denying stance.

The Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of the Integrated Financial Stabilization Fund was enacted after a tough battle with the city council, and the disaster relief fund payment ordinance is currently undergoing administrative procedures.

Council member A of Suncheon City Council said, “The claim that procedures through ordinances should come first is not wrong, but there were many cases handled simultaneously with ordinance enactment,” citing “the acquisition of public property” as a representative example.

Member A added, “Although problems could be resolved through communication between the council and the executive branch, it seems like issues are being leaked externally repeatedly, fostering conflict.”

Some claim, “Council member J decided to propose the ordinance,” and that “the council suddenly changed its position.”

Voices have also emerged calling for disciplinary action against the related public officials over this controversy.

Citizen C said, “If the ordinance was not enacted, shouldn’t the budget not have been proposed?” and added, “I don’t understand why we hear complaints about budget cuts when negotiations with the city council failed or the mayor said now is not the time to pay.”

Citizen B stated, “If there was incompetence or negligence in handling the work, it is natural,” but firmly said, “However, public officials should never be sacrificed due to conflicts among politicians.”

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