President Moon and Democratic Party Leadership Hold First Meeting: "Increase Disaster Relief Fund Size and Establish Income Tracking System"

President Moon: "Considering Support Payments to Comfort Citizens Once COVID-19 Subsides"
No Discussion on Chief Presidential Secretary Shin Hyun-su Matters

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] President Moon Jae-in and the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea held a meeting on the 19th to exchange opinions regarding the 4th round of disaster relief funds. At this meeting, the Democratic Party leadership proposed significantly increasing the scale of customized support for the disaster relief funds and suggested establishing an income assessment system to enable tailored support.

Choi In-ho, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, stated at the National Assembly in the afternoon, “As a result of the party-government meeting held at the Blue House, the party leadership proposed that the scale of customized support related to the disaster relief funds should be significantly increased.” He added, “This is intended to strengthen public income transfers and ensure that the disaster relief funds play a positive role in alleviating inequality caused by COVID-19 and overcoming social polarization.”

He continued, “There was also a proposal to minimize blind spots that occurred in previous disaster relief fund distributions, such as among the youth, tourism services, platform workers, and artists. Furthermore, opinions were raised that an income assessment system should be established to create an environment where customized support proportional to damages can be provided in the future.”

At the meeting, apart from the customized 4th disaster relief funds, it was also reported that there was a proposal emphasizing the necessity of fiscal policies to stimulate the economy once the spread of COVID-19 subsides. Chief spokesperson Choi conveyed that President Moon responded, “When the situation allows us to move beyond COVID-19, we can consider providing consolation funds and morale-boosting support funds to the public.”

Regarding the controversy over Shin Hyun-soo, the senior secretary for civil affairs, resigning, it was reported that no discussion took place. Chief spokesperson Choi stated, “Today was a meeting to discuss issues related to the disaster relief funds,” and “there was no discussion related to that matter today.”

Regarding the previously controversial conflict between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the party, the Democratic Party reportedly conveyed to President Moon that “it would be better if differences between the party and government are kept restrained.” Chief spokesperson Choi revealed, “There was also a shared understanding that emotional expressions or similar exposure of disagreements should be avoided.” When asked by reporters whether President Moon agreed with this, he replied, “The atmosphere was one of agreement.”

The meeting was held at the Blue House from 11 a.m. to 12:46 p.m., lasting about two hours. President Moon and the party leadership conducted the meeting while having lunch with boxed meals.

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