[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] '100,000 won a week? People are going to starve'

The government is cutting the subsidy for people hospitalized or quarantining due to Covid-19 to 100,000 won ($80) per household.

Unlike the previous policy, which offered different amounts depending on the number of people and length of quarantine, the government decided to hand out a fixed amount of 100,000 won per household, no matter how long the quarantine goes on for.

If more than two people in one household are in quarantine, the subsidy is 150,000 won.

The paid leave subsidy is also to be cut. The government is limiting the maximum amount of paid leave support to 45,000 won, down from 73,000 won. The subsidy is provided to small and medium-sized companies.

Jeong Eun-kyeong, the commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), announced on March 14 that "the number of confirmed cases continues to surge due to the spread of Omicron variant reaching its peak. Regarding subsidies, the workload of the relevant departments has never been heavier and the local budget is running out.

"To maximize the efficiency of the national service and secure financial resources, the government decided that the plan needed to be adjusted."

#not_enough
“100,000 won a week? That’s not enough to buy kimbap and a cup-noodle for one person throughout the day. People are going to starve.”
“When I had to quarantine last year, me and four other family members got 1,470,000 won for 14 days of quarantine. It’s now 100,000 won per person. Who’s going to come out as infected now? Only a few companies offer paid leave. If you work part-time or run a business, you’ll be left to fare for yourself.”

#nobody_takes_leave
“You won’t be able to go to work if you’re infected, and the subsidy’s only 20,000 won a day. Who’s gonna want to get tested now? You can’t work if you’re quarantined.”
“Who’ll be willing to take leave with that amount of money? People desperate enough will still go to work, even if they’re sick!”

#unnecessary_aid
“What’s the point of this, though? What’s a man going to do with only 150,000 won. It’s a waste of money.”
“It’s just a cold. Don’t be scared by what people say and ditch the subsidy plan. Use the money where it’s actually needed."

BY LEE SI-YEOUNG, YOO JI-WOO [yoo.jiwoo@joongang.co.kr]