The government and the ruling Uri Party have decided to pursue measures that would expand the social safety net for the poor. There are three main themes; making "basic living guarantees" more substantial, poverty prevention for those just above the level of recipients of "basic living guarantees," and a reorganization of the system of implementation of the social safety net. They want to spend an additional W8.6 trillion by 2009. More support for the poor is the right way to go. Compared to previous governments the Participatory Government has said it places great importance on the distribution of wealth, but the way it is only producing such measures in the second half of president Roh Moo Hyun's term one feels as if is trying to make up for missing an earlier opportunity. It's sad that it wasted time for getting caught up in the consuming debate over whether greater importance should be placed on "growth" or "distribution."
The measures are in some ways open to being seen as "for election purposes," since they come approximately a month before October's makeup elections. They say they are the result of dozens of meetings among the related government ministries and fact-finding surveys, but if by chance the government and ruling party did have the elections in mind they will find it hard to avoid the accusation they have the same old habits as previous governments. If they want to put those concerns to rest they will have to smoothly implement those measures. There is much to be done. There will be opposition from those who put growth first, and it remains unclear where the budget funds are going to come from. Of the most urgent priority will be preventing a situation in which those who need the help the most don't get it while the money instead goes to people who aren't qualified to receive it, thereby making some people lose a sense of responsibility for their personal financial decisions.
Most important will be forming a national consensus. There is no disagreement about the fact that the gap between the rich and poor has grown since the financial crisis of 1997 and that social conflict has deepened as well, and yet Korea spends one of the smallest amounts on social welfare among all Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member states. Sustainable growth is not possible without the social integration through alleviation of economic disparity. According to a survey by the Sungkyunkwan University Survey Research Center, 96 percent of the country feels the rich/poor conflict in our society. We should avoid the ideological confrontation and rhetoric and pool our strength in finding the best possible plans.
The Hankyoreh, 27 September 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Expand Social Safety Net Now |
