□ September 9, 2019 (Mon.)

■ Lee Hae-chan, Chairman of the DPK

Last weekend a super-powerful typhoon, Lingling, hit the Korean peninsula. As the fifth most powerful typhoon ever to make land in Korea, Lingling has been expected to bring severe damage to the nation. As anticipated, the powerful tropical storm left 26 people dead or wounded and 3,600 facilities destroyed. In addition, 7,000 hectares of agricultural land were damaged. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to those who fell victim to the powerful typhoon. Yesterday, the government held a competent-ministerial meeting for swift damage restoration, discussing emergency relief measures and support plans. As Chuseok, one of the biggest national holidays, is just around the corner, it is our hope that rapid recovery will be carried out. 

This week Koreans will celebrate the long holidays of Hangawi or Chuseok, one of the major holidays in Korea. As the nation’s ruling party, the DPK will double our efforts to stabilize the lives of ordinary Koreans and enhance transportation safety during the Chuseok holidays. Last week the government already administered 5.273 trillion won to fund the earned income tax credit and child tax credit so as to help families in the lowest income brackets celebrate the holidays. In addition, we are planning to provide support funds of 96 trillion won in total for small and medium-sized companies and micro enterprises. The government and the ruling party will also increase the supply of high-demand products up to three times and make efforts to ensure price stability. 

Today, with the Chuseok holiday approaching, lawmakers of the ruling party will visit Gongdeok Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul to check product prices and connect with citizens. Then the day after tomorrow, the DPK is planning to hold an on-site supreme council meeting at Seoul Station to work on measures to handle the increased traffic for those returning home from the long holidays.