Kim Du-kwan on Disaster Relief Fund Controversy: "Is There a Reason to Be Criticized After Giving So Much Money... It Should Be Paid 100%"

Kim Du-kwan "A single minister blocking the ruling party's decision... Questioning if this is a democratic republic"

Democratic Party presidential candidate Kim Du-kwan held a press conference to announce his campaign pledges at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 14th, stating, "I will make Gwangju and Jeonnam leading cities in advanced industries and green energy." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Kim Doo-kwan, a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out regarding the COVID-19 coexistence support fund, which is being paid 250,000 KRW per person to 88% of the population with lower income, that more than 300,000 objections have been received, saying, "The fastest way is to correct it when you think it is wrong."

On the 16th, Kim said on his Facebook, "It is said that more than 200,000 objections have been filed due to the 88% standard for disaster relief funds. It is normal to be angry and annoyed from the excluded position because it is not only the 88% who are struggling nor only the 88% who cooperated with quarantine," and evaluated, "Historically, I am devastated if there has ever been a case where so much money was given and received so much criticism."

He continued, "For the stable operation of the National Assembly, I reluctantly agreed to the 88% in the dimension of accepting the ruling and opposition parties' agreement, but this does not seem right," and pointed out, "This confusion occurred not simply because our decision and the ruling-opposition agreement were wrong, but because the Ministry of Economy and Finance officials systematically opposed the ruling party's decision to pay 100%."

He criticized, "Even after our party's decision to pay 100%, the Minister of Economy and Finance opposed it until the end in the National Assembly, and the opposition party also caused this confusion without getting their hands dirty." He also said, "The opposition party initially supported the 100% payment but later reversed their stance like turning their palm and now is enjoying this confusion while blaming the ruling party's responsibility."

He added, "Only our party seems to be taking the blame for this confusion," and directly criticized Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki, saying, "We need to deeply consider whether a country where a single minister blocks the ruling party's decision in the structure of the National Assembly, which holds an absolute majority of seats, is truly a democratic republic."

He then said, "The Democratic Party should step up and implement the 100% payment," and asked, "If the opposition party cannot openly oppose now and if the solemnity of 'prior participation, later consideration' is shown when there is resistance from public officials, who would dare to ignore the authority of the National Assembly?"

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