President Lee Myung-bak speaks with a caller at a phone-counseling center in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Lee instructed his administration to strengthen the social safety net for the poor. / Yonhap |
President Lee Calls for Better Services for Needy Families
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak instructed his administration to strengthen the social safety net for the poor, Thursday, saying many needy families were being left uncared for due to loopholes in the Welfare and Social Security Law.
``I recently received a letter from an elementary school girl who lives only with her mother. She complained that her mother, who had lost her job, was not eligible for state welfare benefits because of an old Bongo van she had,'' Lee said during a visit to the 129 Call Center, which provides telephone counseling services on welfare and family issues.
``She could receive benefits if the vehicle was more than 10 years old, under the current law. However, she cannot because the car is not old enough. Such loopholes should not exist,'' Lee added.
Lee held a meeting of his Emergency Economic Council, including economy-related ministers and senior presidential secretaries, at the call center, located in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province.
During the meeting, he called for the need to enhance social welfare systems and create jobs for poor families so that they can tide over the ongoing economic crisis, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said it will expand counseling services for the poor this year by hiring more staff and increasing the budget for regional counseling service offices.
The visit came amid growing protests over a clash between police and protesters over a redevelopment project in Yongsan, Seoul, which left one riot policeman and five protesters dead. Police said it was inevitable to disperse the protesters because they were a threat to public security.
Critics argue the incident demonstrated that the Lee administration was implementing policies with only the rich in mind.
After the meeting, Lee had a conversation with counselors, saying he thought about killing himself when he was young due to economic difficulties. He said with a laugh, ``I would have sought advice from the 129 Call Center if it had existed then.''
The center, operated by the welfare ministry, provides information and consultation service related to health, welfare and family affairs. Help seekers should call 129 without any regional code. Local fees apply.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
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