National Association of Mayors and Governors Urges Government to Implement 'Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] The National Association of Mayors and Governors (Representative Chairman Yom Tae-young, Mayor of Suwon; hereinafter "the Association") released an emergency statement on March 13 urging the government to implement emergency financial support for disaster relief to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

In the statement, the Association stated, "Unlike basic income distributed unconditionally to all citizens, disaster relief allowance refers to government-level livelihood support funds provided on a temporary basis to those whose livelihoods have been put at risk due to the COVID-19 crisis," and added, "However, the supplementary budget prepared by the government falls short of addressing the urgent needs on the ground."

Accordingly, the Association proposed, "For approximately 8 million small business owners—including the unemployed, non-wage workers, irregular workers, and regular workers in food, accommodation, service, manufacturing, and transportation industries who face great difficulties due to COVID-19—inject 8 trillion won in support funds of 1 million won total over two months (500,000 won per person per month) to serve as a minimum stimulus to restart the stalled local economy."

The Association further stated, "Some regions have already begun implementing their own policies, and there is concern that regional discrimination may occur depending on local government finances," and asserted, "To prevent this, the active interest and willingness of the central government to bear fiscal responsibility must take priority."

Representative Chairman Yom Tae-young said, "Extraordinary situations require extraordinary solutions," and stated, "Quick decisions from the central government are required so that citizens in crisis can return to their daily lives in a short time."

Meanwhile, the National Association of Mayors and Governors is an organization with 226 municipal leaders from basic local governments across the nation, and has been performing autonomy and decentralization, intergovernmental cooperation and coordination.

[Full Text of Emergency Statement by National Mayors and Governors Urging Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief]

We urge the implementation of 'Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief' to overcome the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, all Korean citizens, including those in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province regions, are enduring difficult times. Mayors and governors across the nation are also doing their utmost in their respective regions in quarantine, care for vulnerable populations, and other efforts.

Our society currently faces an unprecedented infectious disease and economic crisis. Extraordinary measures are necessary at this moment. We, the mayors and governors across the nation, hereby jointly propose and urge the implementation of 'Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief.' Unlike basic income distributed unconditionally to all citizens, 'Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief' refers to government-level livelihood support funds provided on a temporary basis to those whose livelihoods have been put at risk by the COVID-19 crisis.

Although the central government has formulated a supplementary budget of 11.7 trillion won, it falls short of addressing the urgent needs facing the ground. More direct support measures must be devised for those not covered by the supplementary budget.

We propose providing emergency disaster relief funds of 1 million won over two months (500,000 won per person per month) to those facing great difficulties due to COVID-19, including irregular workers, part-time workers, platform workers, and small business owners in food, accommodation, service, manufacturing, and transportation industries. The number of people who did not previously receive social security benefits from the state but newly face livelihood threats due to COVID-19 is estimated at approximately 8 million, with required funding of 8 trillion won. 'Emergency Financial Support for Disaster Relief' is a temporary measure to help overcome difficult times together. There are practical financial difficulties, but this will serve as a minimum stimulus to restart the stalled local economy.

Some regions have already announced related policies by local governments. However, more importantly, regional discrimination must not occur based on the fiscal conditions between local governments. Matters related to the lives, bodies, and property of Korean citizens must not be subject to discrimination by anyone. To achieve this, the active interest of the central government and willingness to bear fiscal responsibility must take priority.

We mayors and governors across the nation will make full preparations for administrative and clerical work necessary for the implementation of emergency financial support for disaster relief in accordance with the central government's decision. Our basic governments will thoroughly inspect and support the delivery system for distribution as soon as the central government's policy is determined. We urge a swift decision from the central government.

March 13, 2020

National Association of Mayors and Governors Joint Chairmen and Members