Gyeonggi governor criticizes Moon for providing relief money selectively
Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with the Hankook Ilbo, sister paper to The Korea Times, July 27, at his office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han
Second disaster relief fund to be provided selectively
By Jung Da-min
A ruling bloc heavyweight has criticized the government's decision to provide emergency disaster relief money selectively to those in a poorer financial situation, warning the Moon Jae-in administration of public anger and distrust of its policies.
The criticism was made by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who has called for a universal payment of a second round of relief funds aimed at minimizing the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. His comments show the government's selective payment decision faces opposition from some members within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who are concerned that such a selective support could bring social division.
“It is clear to me that the conflict and confusion caused by division, the feeling of alienation due to exclusion (from the handouts), and the resentment against and sense of betrayal by the Moon Jae-in government and the DPK, further against the state and community, are spreading like flames,” Lee wrote on Facebook, Sunday. “I also see the forces of deep-rooted evil and malicious conservative media seeking a chance to strike back again behind the veil, wearing a contented smile.”
Lee cited a short posting written by a young husband, who said it was so difficult for the couple to earn a living that he and his wife had to sell their wedding rings, and as his wife wept all night, he wrapped his arms around her shoulder and cried with her.
“I also shed tears while reading it,” Lee said. “However, those whose situations suddenly deteriorated like this young couple are highly unlikely to be eligible for the support money this time.”
He said that throughout history, scholars had stressed that people were angrier at unfairness than poverty itself.
“I'm so worried about the backlash that could arise due to discrimination forced by the nation's representatives in a crisis where everybody is suffering hardship,” the governor said, urging the government to minimize this by setting up detailed criteria for the selective payment.
Lee's strong criticism of the Moon government and the DPK could also be seen as a move to appeal to people as a prospective presidential candidate by drawing a line between him and the incumbent administration.
His favorability as a potential presidential candidate has been increasing in recent months, and political watchers attributed this to his straightforwardness and strong drive in pushing forward with policies, seen in his efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the province earlier this year. He was one of the first municipal heads in the country to provide relief funds to residents separately from the government, and recently has urged it to offer 300,000 won ($252.6) to every citizen for the second round of disaster handouts.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, second from left, holds a meeting at his official residence in Seoul, Sunday, with officials from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), relevant ministries and Cheong Wa Dae to confirm a plan to provide relief funds selectively to those directly affected by the recent resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. From left are DPK floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon, Chung, DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon and presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Sang-jo. / Yonhap
Meanwhile, officials from the DPK, relevant ministries and Cheong Wa Dae met in Seoul, Sunday, to confirm the plan to provide the relief money selectively to those directly affected by the recent resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as owners of PC rooms and other facilities that were forced to close under strengthened social distancing guidelines.
“We will provide selective support for those who have suffered great damage from COVID-19, such as young adults, unemployed people, small business owners, the self-employed and low-income people,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during the meeting.
They decided to allocate 7 trillion won for this year's fourth extra budget aimed to help boost the virus-hit economy. It is the first time in 59 years that a fourth supplementary budget has been drawn up.
DPK head Rep. Lee Nak-yon said the budget would be raised by issuing state bonds and thus it needed to be spent effectively. They concluded it would be better to support those in desperate need first.
While the budget needs to be passed at the National Assembly, Lee said he would make efforts to speed up the passage so the money could be handed out before the Chuseok holiday that starts Sept. 30.