Pres. Moon calls for Nat'l Assembly's cooperation to revitalize economy
- 6 years ago
President Moon Jae-in is urging lawmakers to help the country through this rough patch by swiftly passing bills aimed at boosting the economy.
He also called for a more government spending to respond to the pressing social and economic issues gripping South Korea.
Hwang Hojun reports.
According to President Moon, improving people's livelihoods and boosting the economy all depend on the National Assembly's willingness to join efforts with the government.
"When it comes to people's daily lives and our economy, I expect genuine cooperation from Parliament.
President Moon's remarks were made during his regular Monday meeting with his top aides; the same day as the National Assembly kicked off its regular session.
He underscored that there are economy-related bills yet to be processed -- bills intended to boost the economy by supporting small businesses and the self-employed and through deregulation.
But those laws, he said, won't make any difference if they're not implemented in a timely manner.
The President also stressed that neither the ruling and opposition parties can deny that the nation's low employment and birth rates, its polarization, sluggish economic growth, and aging population are pressing matters.
To overcome those hurdles, he said (quote) "active government spending is needed more than ever."
"Instead of stacking up taxpayers' money in a storehouse we can spend it to boost the economy, create jobs and improve people's lives."
The government recently proposed a 9-point-7-percent budget increase for next year, which would bring it to over 423 billion U.S. dollars -- if approved by the National Assembly, Korea's biggest budget ever.
Part of the active government spending will be a pension increase for senior citizens and people with disabilities,... not to mention the government giving a monthly allowance of 90 U.S. dollars to the parents of more than 2-point-3 million children under the age of 6... to ease the burden of child-rearing.
The President's call for action comes as his approval rating dropped to 55-point-2 percent, according to local pollster Realmeter, because of the worsening economy.
It's his lowest rating yet.
Some blame the administration's minimum wage hike and its policy of income-led growth, but President Moon says things can change if lawmakers work together.
Hwang Hojun, Arirang News.
He also called for a more government spending to respond to the pressing social and economic issues gripping South Korea.
Hwang Hojun reports.
According to President Moon, improving people's livelihoods and boosting the economy all depend on the National Assembly's willingness to join efforts with the government.
"When it comes to people's daily lives and our economy, I expect genuine cooperation from Parliament.
President Moon's remarks were made during his regular Monday meeting with his top aides; the same day as the National Assembly kicked off its regular session.
He underscored that there are economy-related bills yet to be processed -- bills intended to boost the economy by supporting small businesses and the self-employed and through deregulation.
But those laws, he said, won't make any difference if they're not implemented in a timely manner.
The President also stressed that neither the ruling and opposition parties can deny that the nation's low employment and birth rates, its polarization, sluggish economic growth, and aging population are pressing matters.
To overcome those hurdles, he said (quote) "active government spending is needed more than ever."
"Instead of stacking up taxpayers' money in a storehouse we can spend it to boost the economy, create jobs and improve people's lives."
The government recently proposed a 9-point-7-percent budget increase for next year, which would bring it to over 423 billion U.S. dollars -- if approved by the National Assembly, Korea's biggest budget ever.
Part of the active government spending will be a pension increase for senior citizens and people with disabilities,... not to mention the government giving a monthly allowance of 90 U.S. dollars to the parents of more than 2-point-3 million children under the age of 6... to ease the burden of child-rearing.
The President's call for action comes as his approval rating dropped to 55-point-2 percent, according to local pollster Realmeter, because of the worsening economy.
It's his lowest rating yet.
Some blame the administration's minimum wage hike and its policy of income-led growth, but President Moon says things can change if lawmakers work together.
Hwang Hojun, Arirang News.