"Basic livelihood recipients will…" Controversy arises over the issuance of consumption coupons and insufficient human rights sensitivity in field responses.
The field response of an administrative welfare center, which showed a lack of consideration for basic livelihood recipients during the issuance process of consumption coupons aimed at economic recovery, is receiving criticism.
According to a report by Busan's KNN broadcasting on the 25th, at around 9:30 AM on the 23rd, a man in his 70s, referred to as A, visited the Dong-gu Jwachon-dong administrative welfare center to receive his consumption coupons.
It has come to light that an employee came out and made the rather absurd announcement, "Basic livelihood recipients, please come forward."
A was momentarily taken aback but stepped forward to receive the consumption coupon, having traveled a long way on a hot day.
However, the administrative welfare center informed those gathered, "There are no consumption coupons available right now; please come back between 3 PM and 4 PM," and sent them home.
After returning home, A visited again around 4 PM the same day but was told, "The card has not arrived from City Hall," and was instructed to leave his name and contact information before leaving again.
Regarding this, A stated, "It was very upsetting to be exposed in front of many others as a basic livelihood recipient, and having to visit twice in the hot weather was particularly discouraging."
Having become a basic livelihood recipient after suffering lung issues from a long career as a miner, A noted, "My house is in a hilly area, making it difficult to go back and forth," and added, "Public transportation does not run through that alley."
The administrative welfare center expressed regret, stating, "In a chaotic situation where many citizens arrived even before we opened, our response was hurried and therefore lacked consideration for basic livelihood recipients."
Furthermore, they conveyed, "We apologize for causing inconvenience to that individual and acknowledge it as a mistake. We will be more cautious to prevent such issues in the future."
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized some local governments for exposing vulnerable groups during the process of issuing prepaid consumption coupons for economic recovery, describing it as “a typical supplier-centered administrative convenience approach that lacks human rights sensitivity.”
YouTube 'KNN NEWS'
Image Source: youtube 'knn news', reference photo for understanding the article / News1, as the city of Gwangju took measures to address the situation where consumption coupon cards were issued in different colors according to income levels, public officials were seen sticking labels on the cards in the city hall's mid-conference room on the 25th. / News1
