Lee calls for greater promotion of government welfare programs

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday that the government should make more efforts to publicize its microfinancing program and other welfare services it provides for the underprivileged.
"The problem is that those who are busy making ends meet every day are often unaware of whether these programs even exist," Lee said during a visit to an office of the government's microfinance program, called the "Miso" program, at a traditional market in Seoul. "Some people can't even tell the difference between Miso Finance and private loans."



Miso Finance refers to a government-led small-loan program that Lee helped set up with the help of big companies to help low-income people who are unable to access ordinary financial institutions for loans.
Lee said the government should try to publicize such programs so that more people can take advantage of them.
jschang@yna.co.kr