Justice Party, Ruling Party Proposes Disaster Relief Supplementary Budget: "Like Stopping CPR to Hand Out Vitamins"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 2nd, the Justice Party put the brakes on the ruling party's claim that an additional budget (supplementary budget), including a 'nationwide disaster relief fund,' is urgent. In a situation where the government and the ruling party have failed to narrow differences over the loss compensation law for small business owners and self-employed people affected by COVID-19, it is irresponsible to recklessly mention a nationwide disaster relief fund.

On this day, the Justice Party issued a statement, pointing out that "it is irresponsible and inappropriate to suddenly mention a nationwide disaster relief fund while putting aside the urgent 'loss compensation' for self-employed people and small business owners who are struggling to survive."

Lee Dong-young, chief spokesperson, criticized, "In short, it is like 'performing CPR halfway and then handing out nutritional supplements to neighbors,'" adding, "The Democratic Party should finish the overdue homework first."

He explained that it is not opposition to taking care of people's livelihoods, but when considering the order of tasks, the processing of the loss compensation law is more urgent.

The chief spokesperson said, "We do not oppose the government's expansionary fiscal policy. Citizens have endured by borrowing over the past year, and if necessary, it is the government's natural responsibility to borrow and take care of people's livelihoods." However, he emphasized, "There is an order to things," and "Priorities must be clear."

He stated, "If the idea is not to recklessly spend the 17 trillion won in excess tax revenue, then naturally the top priority should be loss compensation." He continued, "Taxes should be used primarily to tightly weave a social safety net for vulnerable groups whose income and jobs have been cut off due to COVID-19," adding, "The retroactive application of COVID loss compensation was not fulfilled in the April National Assembly nor in the May National Assembly. The National Assembly must no longer become a 'boy who cried wolf.'"

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