People Power Party Holds Meeting with Gym Industry... "Forced Closures, Government Negligence"

"Review of Multifaceted Measures Including Financial Support and Job Stability Funds"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 15th, the People Power Party listened to the difficulties faced by gyms and related industries due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and sought financial support measures.

Lee Jong-bae, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, said at a policy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, “Due to social distancing level 2.5, indoor sports facilities such as gyms have been banned from operating for over a month. They have literally been forced to close for more than a month.” He pointed out, “I understand that many sports facilities cannot even apply for disaster relief funds depending on their opening time, employment scale, and sales.”

Lee emphasized, “If the reward for faithfully following the government’s quarantine guidelines is to be left to survive on their own, it amounts to government negligence. The 300,000 workers in the fitness industry, especially the youth who make up 90%, are being driven toward unemployment.”

He added, “The government must prepare practical measures to help indoor sports facilities such as gyms. I understand that many are struggling to repay principal and interest even without earning money. We will actively explore financial support measures to help them recover and consider various support plans such as job stability funds for young people driven to unemployment.”

Kim Seong-woo, President of the Korea Fitness Managers Association, lamented, “In the case of indoor sports facilities, less than 1% of total infections occur. I want to ask the government why they continue to impose gathering bans and restrictions on sports facilities.” He added, “We cannot help but reasonably suspect that they are victims of political quarantine.”

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