Yoon Ho-jung: "80% Standard for Disaster Relief Funds Can Be Expanded for Dual-Income Couples"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said regarding the 5th disaster relief fund paid to the "bottom 80% income group," "It can be slightly increased for dual-income couples, etc."

In an interview on June 1st with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Floor Leader Yoon said it would be difficult to expand the disaster relief fund payment target to the entire population.

He said, "It might be difficult to expand it to a nationwide support method," but left room for possibility by adding, "Expansion for dual-income couples, youth, and people with disabilities might be possible."

Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The disaster relief fund payment target criteria agreed upon by the ruling party and government on the 29th is the bottom 80% income group, which is expected to be around an annual income of 100 million won per household. Yoon’s remarks are interpreted to mean that for dual-income couples, even if their combined income exceeds 100 million won, the payment target could be partially adjusted to include them.

Regarding the policy to support the top 20% income group through credit card cashback, Floor Leader Yoon said, "It is a contribution to respond to the economic crisis as a form of 'noblesse oblige' from an economic perspective," and added, "It is a gesture of sincerity for that contribution." However, he added, "I do not think this is the best. Any parts that need to be revised through further discussion in the National Assembly should be revised."

On the issue of the resignation of party members accused of real estate speculation within the party, he said, "I think the party’s decision will be somewhat accepted as reasonable," and added, "I believe this phase will be completed by their decision."

Regarding the distribution of standing committee chair positions in the National Assembly, he said that the ruling and opposition parties are still at an impasse over the position of the Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

He explained, "The Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee cannot be given to the opposition party," and said, "The opposition insists that the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee should be from different parties for checks and balances, but because of that, the National Assembly keeps becoming a dysfunctional 'animal parliament' or 'plant parliament,' ending up unable to do anything."

He added that except for the Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, seven standing committee chair positions are allocated to the opposition party, but "they are not taking them," and said, "We met twice yesterday to discuss all day, but there has been no change in their position at all."

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