Choi Seung-jae: "Passing the Compensation Act for Small Business Owners Takes Priority Over Disaster Relief Funds and Local Currency Discussions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Choi Seung-jae, a member of the People Power Party, raised his voice that a law compensating small business owners for damages caused by the aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) should be prioritized.

Choi, who is also the chairman of the People Power Party's Small Business Committee, said at the party's floor countermeasure meeting on the morning of the 15th, "Small business owners have been left in debt due to enormous fixed costs such as rent, electricity bills, social insurance premiums, copyright fees, and salaries, despite having no income at all due to up to 160 days of gathering ban orders."

He pointed out, "Despite this situation, the government is giving only a ridiculously insufficient consolation payment while taking all the credit," and added, "The minister in charge is shedding tears and putting on a show."

Choi noted that a compensation law that can supplement the damages and losses of small business owners and self-employed people is currently pending in the National Assembly, but the Democratic Party of Korea is delaying its processing. He criticized, "The Democratic Party pushed through the Corruption Investigation Office, North Korea leaflet law, and lease law unilaterally and even stood up to pass them, but they are postponing the compensation law. Now that small business owners can no longer endure and are collectively rebelling, they are making a show of compensating just before the election."

He emphasized, "Meanwhile, absurd ideas such as nationwide disaster relief payments and local currency are being raised ahead of the election," and added, "Proper compensation for small business owners should come first."

Regarding the profit-sharing system proposed by Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, he said, "(Leader Lee) is neither Robin Hood nor Hong Gil-dong, so it is not appropriate to talk like that," and pointed out, "It is right to contribute to society through voluntary corporate activities, but (the profit-sharing system) risks twisting the arms of companies in a free democratic and capitalist country."

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