ID :
201518
Tue, 08/16/2011 - 05:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201518
The shortlink copeid
Lee aide says vote on free lunch a matter about welfare paradigm
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- Next week's vote on Seoul's free school lunch program is not just about whether to give students free lunch, but a matter about how to shape South Korea's welfare paradigm, a key aide to President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday.
The remark came as a Seoul court rejected the main opposition party's application for an injunction against the free lunch referendum slated for Aug. 24.
The vote will ask Seoul citizens whether to move forward with the opposition-led policy of providing all students with free lunch. Mayor Oh Se-hoon and his ruling Grand National Party have denounced the measure as a populist policy weighing on government finances.
Instead, they have suggested providing free lunch only to students in need.
Opposition parties argue poor students who receive free lunch could be stigmatized at school.
"The upcoming vote is not just about whether to give free lunch or not. It's a question about what to do with South Korea's welfare paradigm," special presidential adviser Park Hyung-joon said during a radio interview.
President Lee must have the same view on the issue as Mayor Oh, Park said.
Lee plans to cast an absentee ballot as he will be on an overseas trip next week, aides said. That shows the significance he attaches to the poll seen as a referendum on South Korea's debate over welfare and populism.
Lee has repeatedly voiced concern about lawmakers putting forth a series of costly welfare policy proposals to woo voters ahead of next year's general elections.
During his National Liberation Day address on Monday, Lee stressed that the country "should not make the error of giving financial aid to those who are well off, thus preventing such assistance flowing into the hands of those in desperate need."
The remark came as a Seoul court rejected the main opposition party's application for an injunction against the free lunch referendum slated for Aug. 24.
The vote will ask Seoul citizens whether to move forward with the opposition-led policy of providing all students with free lunch. Mayor Oh Se-hoon and his ruling Grand National Party have denounced the measure as a populist policy weighing on government finances.
Instead, they have suggested providing free lunch only to students in need.
Opposition parties argue poor students who receive free lunch could be stigmatized at school.
"The upcoming vote is not just about whether to give free lunch or not. It's a question about what to do with South Korea's welfare paradigm," special presidential adviser Park Hyung-joon said during a radio interview.
President Lee must have the same view on the issue as Mayor Oh, Park said.
Lee plans to cast an absentee ballot as he will be on an overseas trip next week, aides said. That shows the significance he attaches to the poll seen as a referendum on South Korea's debate over welfare and populism.
Lee has repeatedly voiced concern about lawmakers putting forth a series of costly welfare policy proposals to woo voters ahead of next year's general elections.
During his National Liberation Day address on Monday, Lee stressed that the country "should not make the error of giving financial aid to those who are well off, thus preventing such assistance flowing into the hands of those in desperate need."
