President Moon at National Economic Advisory Council Discussion: "Establishing Income Tracking System for Small Business Owners" Raised as Key Issue

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the afternoon of the 20th, President Moon Jae-in chaired the National Economic Advisory Council at the Blue House and raised the issue of establishing an income tracking system for small business owners and self-employed individuals.

In his closing remarks at the meeting, President Moon said, "I would like to present one task or issue," adding, "One way to find the answer to what extent compensation for losses to small business owners and self-employed individuals should be supported is to establish an income tracking system. If we can track the income of platform workers, special employment types, and cultural and artistic professionals, we can base unemployment benefits on this and create a more comprehensive social safety net for all citizens without blind spots."

Following the report on the '2022 Economic Policy Direction' by Hong Nam-ki, Minister of Strategy and Finance, Lee Geun, Vice Chairman of the National Economic Advisory Council, evaluated, "The Moon Jae-in administration laid the foundation for three major safety nets: 'social safety net,' 'GVC (Global Value Chain) safety net,' and 'diplomatic safety net.' These issues began before COVID-19 and have been further solidified during the pandemic." He also proposed exploring ways to remove the partition of local education finance grants so that universities, as well as elementary and secondary schools, can use them together.

Yoon Ho-jung, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Although there are difficulties such as the US-China hegemony competition threatening the GVC (Global Value Chain), overcoming this requires strengthening the global network," and evaluated, "The Moon Jae-in administration's New Southern Policy is an appropriate measure to strengthen the global network."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, "There have been many achievements this year, and next year we will overcome internal and external crisis factors and pursue a balance between quarantine and the economy," adding, "We will expand education for the digital civilization generation and focus on overcoming low birth rates and regional balanced development."

He also said, "Carbon neutrality is not the philosophy of a progressive government but an unavoidable global consensus and trend," and added, "Let us pass on the achievements of the Moon Jae-in administration well to the next administration."

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