Kim Ki-hyun "Compensation for Losses Law Requires Presidential Decision... Consideration for Small Business Owners Needed"

Visit to the Protest Site of Assemblyman Choi Seung-jae, Who Began a Hunger Strike Since the Day Before

Kim Gi-hyeon, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party (right), is visiting and talking with Representative Choi Seung-jae, who has been protesting in a tent for 47 days in front of the National Assembly Main Building in Yeouido, Seoul, demanding retroactive legislation for COVID-19 loss compensation on the 28th.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Kim Ki-hyun, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, asserted that the legislation of the COVID-19 Loss Compensation Act is a "matter that requires the president's decision."

On the 28th, Acting Leader Kim visited the hunger strike site of party member Choi Seung-jae, set up in front of the main stairs of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Choi began his hunger strike the day before to urge the enactment of the COVID-19 Loss Compensation Act. The tent protest has been ongoing for 47 days as of that day.

Acting Leader Kim emphasized, "This is an issue that depends on the president's decision," adding, "If the president pushes the responsibility onto others and refuses to act, it is an abandonment of responsibility."

He continued, "When I went to the Blue House for talks, I publicly stated, 'The Loss Compensation Act must be processed quickly. The president should pay special attention to this.' To my recollection, the president replied, 'Wouldn't it be better if the ruling and opposition parties reach a good agreement on this?'" He added, "It makes no sense that the government opposes it, yet the Democratic Party acts as if they will handle it, playing a double or triple game."

The bill review by the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Business Committee, scheduled for the morning to discuss the legislation of the COVID-19 Loss Compensation Act, was canceled due to the absence of Democratic Party members. In response, the People Power Party, Justice Party, and Transition Korea issued a joint statement calling for immediate protection of small business owners and self-employed individuals through the introduction of the Loss Compensation Act. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party stated that the meeting was properly postponed after bipartisan agreement, as party-government consultations on retroactive application of loss compensation and other issues have not been finalized.

Acting Leader Kim criticized, "They are deceiving small business owners by straddling both sides," adding, "There is a limit to deception, but openly deceiving like this is unacceptable."

After visiting Choi's protest site and meeting with reporters, Acting Leader Kim said, "Small business owners are in a serious situation where they cannot maintain their livelihoods, and social distancing measures do not seem likely to be lifted soon. I don't know how long they intend to push small business owners to the brink." He added, "I believe government policy and financial consideration for small business owners are absolutely necessary. I respectfully proposed this to the president, but the government and ruling party have not budged. It is frustrating to see how long they will continue to ignore this."

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