Dispute over relief funds
Gyeonggi governor should take some time before executing decision
The Gyeonggi Provincial Government has decided to provide another round of disaster relief funds for everyone living in the province. The decision was made in the form of Governor Lee Jae-myung accepting a proposal from the province's assembly, which argued that the provision of relief funds was necessary to help residents struggling with the prolonged coronavirus pandemic and to stimulate consumption. This time, around 580,000 foreign residents of the province will also receive 100,000 won ($90) each in digital currency in early April.
It's not surprising that Gov. Lee made such a decision, given his track record of gaining greater political weight by returning money to taxpayers in the name of "cash welfare" from the time when he was the mayor of Seongnam. The lawyer-turned-politician, who is on top in the latest polls of support for presidential hopefuls, appears eager to solidify his position by leaping ahead of other aspirants through his sugar-coated plethora of policies.