ID :
190001
Tue, 06/21/2011 - 07:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/190001
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Seoul city council pushes for expanded senior welfare
SEOUL (Yonhap) - A group of opposition members of the municipal legislature of Seoul proposed a package of welfare measures for senior citizens on Tuesday, putting the opposition-controlled legislature on a collision course with the city government.
The proposal, submitted by 24 members of the main opposition Democratic Party, came as the legislature has been at odds with the administration of Mayor Oh Se-hoon after the council passed a proposal last year to provide free lunch to all elementary school students.
Oh has denounced the move as a populist policy and sought to derail it. The city government is currently reviewing a conservative coalition group's request for a referendum as part of their efforts to block the free lunch program.
"Welfare policies for the elderly should be universal ones that benefit all senior citizens," said Kim Hyung-sik, one of the proposal's presenters. "Supporting the elderly is a responsibility of the society and the Seoul city government should not pass its responsibility to individual households."
The proposal calls for providing the elderly with rental houses, free transport passes as well as giving incentives to senior care businesses and related industries. It also calls for providing medical check-ups for those aged 65 or over at least twice a year.
City officials appear negative about the proposal that could cost a lot.
"(The city government) will consult with the council as it supports social norms of respecting seniors. However, we will block attempts to pour money (into the program) without securing enough budget," city government spokesman Lee Jong-hyu said.
The proposal, submitted by 24 members of the main opposition Democratic Party, came as the legislature has been at odds with the administration of Mayor Oh Se-hoon after the council passed a proposal last year to provide free lunch to all elementary school students.
Oh has denounced the move as a populist policy and sought to derail it. The city government is currently reviewing a conservative coalition group's request for a referendum as part of their efforts to block the free lunch program.
"Welfare policies for the elderly should be universal ones that benefit all senior citizens," said Kim Hyung-sik, one of the proposal's presenters. "Supporting the elderly is a responsibility of the society and the Seoul city government should not pass its responsibility to individual households."
The proposal calls for providing the elderly with rental houses, free transport passes as well as giving incentives to senior care businesses and related industries. It also calls for providing medical check-ups for those aged 65 or over at least twice a year.
City officials appear negative about the proposal that could cost a lot.
"(The city government) will consult with the council as it supports social norms of respecting seniors. However, we will block attempts to pour money (into the program) without securing enough budget," city government spokesman Lee Jong-hyu said.
