Transition Team "Considering Adjustment of Advance Payment Scale for Loss Compensation"

On the 19th, Deputy Spokesperson Hong Kyung-hee revealed in a briefing
that adjustments to the correction rate and the minimum amount were also under consideration

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee, is presiding over the 13th meeting of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee held on the afternoon of the 18th at the Transition Committee in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] The Presidential Transition Committee is reportedly considering increasing the scale of advance payments for loss compensation to small business owners.

Hong Kyung-hee, deputy spokesperson of the Transition Committee, stated at a briefing held on the morning of the 19th at the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "Based on the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year, advance payments of 2.5 million KRW per quarter were made to 525,000 businesses, but the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee is reviewing a plan to increase the amount." The COVID-19 Special Committee has also reviewed raising the correction rate and minimum amount for small business loss compensation.

Discussions were also held regarding the 'Plan to Secure and Expand the Use of Oral Therapeutics.' Deputy Spokesperson Hong explained, "The government has completed the introduction of 724,000 doses through a contract for 1,204,000 doses, and among these, 214,000 doses have been administered, leaving an inventory of 510,000 doses as of the 14th." He added, "The COVID-19 Special Committee is not stopping there and has ordered the government to secure additional supplies in preparation for a possible resurgence of COVID-19 and the emergence of variant viruses in the second half of this year, and negotiations are ongoing."

There is also ongoing discussion about expanding the prescription target for therapeutics from the current groups?those aged 60 and over, immunocompromised individuals, and patients in their 40s and 50s with underlying conditions?to patients aged 12 and over with underlying conditions, as well as broadening prescription institutions to include local clinics.

Additionally, plans are underway to promote a 'Public-Private Consultative Body for the Use of Oral Therapeutics,' composed of members from the COVID-19 Special Committee, government officials, clinical doctors, public health center directors, and experts from specialized institutions. This consultative body is expected to handle estimating the necessary quantities of oral therapeutics, utilization plans, and the introduction of various therapeutics.

The COVID-19 Special Committee also conveyed opinions to the government regarding the 'Establishment of an Integrated Quarantine Information System,' as information on confirmed cases, hospitalized patients, and vaccinated individuals is currently managed separately. Deputy Spokesperson Hong said, "In response, the government's Central Disease Control Headquarters is conducting a practical review on the necessity of building an integrated system that includes infectious disease surveillance, patient management, and vaccination."

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