Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, said on the 4th that he would promote measures to adjust and forgive loans for small business owners increased during the COVID-19 period. He also promised to expand local currency and Onnuri gift certificates to revitalize alley economy.
The candidate noted on that day on Facebook, "Small business owners and self-employed individuals are facing a survival crisis," and "I will create a country where they can work with peace of mind and run businesses by reducing financial and management burdens."
Specifically, he suggested ▲ promoting debt adjustment and forgiveness related to COVID-19 ▲ expanding policy funds such as low-interest refinancing and secondary guarantees ▲ introducing a customized long-term installment repayment program for small business owners ▲ emergency support for small business losses ▲ enhancing transparency in management fees and increasing rent ▲ alleviating the burden of self-ordering machines and simple payment fees ▲ increasing support funds for closed businesses ▲ building a fair economy platform ecosystem ▲ mandating safe call systems for women small business owners.
The candidate stated, "It is unfair to pass the responsibility that should have been shared by the state during the COVID period onto small business owners and self-employed individuals. I will gradually promote exceptional measures from debt adjustment to forgiveness," adding, "As the consumption was suppressed due to civil unrest, the losses were solely borne by small business owners and self-employed individuals. We will share the expenses for recovery of losses as a community."
He emphasized, "I will transparently publish management fees to prevent sneaky rent increases. I will also alleviate the burdens of self-ordering machines, gift certificates, and simple payment fees," and "I will significantly expand the issuance scale of local currencies and Onnuri gift certificates to promote domestic consumption and increase sales."
The candidate claimed that he will create a system that allows for re-challenges by increasing support funds given to closed self-employed individuals. He also showed his commitment to enacting the online platform law, which is currently pending in the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee.
The candidate explained, "I will surely break the vicious cycle of having to incur new debts due to the burdens of closing costs and loan repayments," and "I will push for institutional improvements to build a fair economy platform ecosystem."
The candidate is embarking on a listening tour, meeting voters at traditional markets and restaurants in the region for the fourth consecutive day. On this day, he plans to continue his outreach in Yeongju and Yecheon in North Gyeongsang Province, Danyang and Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province, and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province.