정부, 7조8천억 규모 4차 추경 편성…"피해맞춤형 재난지원"
Our starting point tonight: South Korea is drawing up another 6-point-6 billion dollars - the fourth supplementary budget this year - JUST to aid struggling small businesses facing mass closures amid unprecedented social distancing restrictions to curb a resurgence of Covid-19.
For instance, small businesses that have been ordered closure like internet cafes and singing rooms are eligible for up to 17-hundred dollars in cash.
Targeted, more customized support for those hit hardest by the virus resurgence.
Our senior Blue House correspondent Kim Minji leads our coverage.
The government's fourth extra budget of the year has been set at 7-point-8 trillion won,... or roughly 6-point-6 billion U.S. dollars.
It will be used to provide tailored support focused on the most vulnerable industries and people affected by the resurgence of COVID-19.
The extra budget is for disaster relief tailored to the kinds of damages sustained and is focused on providing vulnerable industries and social classes with the sturdiest support we can. I know that the amount is not enough, but it's the best the government can do. I hope it can help people get through these difficulties.
About half of the budget will be focused on support for the self-employed and small merchants which will include cash payments for some 2-point-9 million people.
Small merchants who've had to limit their business hours because of social distancing rules, like restaurants and cafes, can get around 12-hundred dollars.
The owners of facilities designated as high-risk, like PC cafes and karaokes, which have been forced to close entirely,... will be eligible for about 17-hundred dollars.
Also, merchants with annual revenue of less than 340-thousand dollars... will get roughly 870 dollars.
In addition, over one billion dollars will be used to help companies affected by the virus keep people employed.
Part of the budget will be directed at easing the burden of childcare... by raising the age limit for child benefits meaning that over 5 million people can get help.
Another portion will be used to give South Koreans aged 13 and over a one-off discount of about 17 dollars off their phone bills to provide consolation to people enduring the pandemic.
Speedy support is crucial for those facing a threat to their survival. I ask the National Assembly to pass the budget bill swiftly, and for government officials to make preparations so that the budget can be implemented before the Chuseok holiday.
The extra budget will be financed through the issuance of state bonds.
It's the first time in almost six decades that the government has drawn up four extra budgets in one fiscal year.
Earlier this year,... the government used an extra budget to hand out emergency relief payments of up to 870 dollars to ALL households.
President Moon asked for understanding that there was no choice this time but to take a more tailored approach to maximize the effects of limited financial resources
