공용차량 조기구매•공항사용료 감면 연장…주력산업 지원대책 발표
The South Korean government on Wednesday announced another 69 billion U.S. dollars to keep more Koreans in jobs and help businesses stay afloat.
Now it's laid out how the funds will be used specifically targeting the aviation, auto and shipbuilding sectors.
Our Kim Dami has the details.
With travel on hold due to the coronavirus, local airlines are facing a meltdown.
The number of airport passengers during the second week of April nosedived by over 98 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
To make sure the local aviation industry survives the pandemic, the South Korean government will use some of the 69 billion U.S. dollar COVID-19 support package laid out on Wednesday to help Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
This is the first time that the government has proposed COVID-19 support funds for large airlines.
At an emergency meeting on Thursday, finance minister Hong Nam-ki also said the government is reviewing additional liquidity measures for low cost carriers, on top of the roughly quarter of a billion dollars it pumped into the sector in February.
It will also postpone payments for airport facility fees from May until August.
"Over 90 percent of international air routes have been suspended due to COVID-19. The government's liquidity support and funds are expected to take some of the burden off local airlines."
The auto industry has not been forgotten either.
Over the next month, the government will pay up to 70% of downpayments in advance for the roughly 87-hundred vehicles that it plans to purchase this year.
In addition, it will provide subsidies for purchases of 5-thousand-5-hundred electric cargo trucks.
To revive the country's shipbuilding industry, the government has also pledged to keep issuing refund guarantees to help local shipbuilders win overseas contracts.
The government also plans to create a task force for industries and businesses, and has pledged to swiftly solve any problems that occur.
Kim Dami, Arirang News.
