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National Assembly Budget Office (Korea), "Case Analysis of Emergency Relief Payments in response to COVID-19: Focusing on major economies and local government" (Vol. 17, April 13, 2020)

Summary

This National Assembly Budget Office brief (Vol. 17, April 13, 2020) describes the emergency relief payments the Korean government announced on March 30, 2020 for households in the bottom 70% of incomes, measured by health insurance contributions. Payments range from KRW 400,000 for single-person households to 1 million for households of four or more, with a total of 9.1 trillion won, 7.1 trillion won from the central government and 2 trillion won from local governments. The brief compares payments elsewhere, including about US$ 290 billion in U.S. stimulus checks and about ¥4 trillion in Japan. In its own bullet points the central and local shares appear as 7.1 million won and 2.0 million won.

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Cite this document

“National Assembly Budget Office (Korea), ‘Case Analysis of Emergency Relief Payments in response to COVID-19: Focusing on major economies and local government’ (Vol. 17, April 13, 2020).” Original at www.nabo.go.kr. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/national-assembly-budget-office-korea-case-analysis-of-emergency-relie-65d83059df/, SHA-256 44c000c68f497e83a12c6dee54394575a7511b4f34a0288264e06f1467afee94.

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     Publication Registration No.
     31-9700484-001731-14
     ISSN   2672-0280



April 13, 2020 Vol.17



        Case Analysis of Emergency Relief Payments in
                    response to COVID-19
                          Focusing on major economies and local government
                        Budget Analyst Yoon Yeomoon from Budget Analysis Coordination Division,
            Budget Analyst Park Eunyoung from Administrative Budget Analysis Division of Budget Analysis Department




   Overview of
                               ‌On March 30, 2020, the Korean government announced the“Emergency

   Emergency
                                    Relief Payments”in response to COVID-19 crisis1)

   Relief                           - ‌­­Eligibility: Korean households in the bottom 70 % income bracket2) determined by
   Payments                          using the sum of individual health insurance contributions paid in March as a key
                                     standard.

                                    - ­‌­­Amount of payment: Payments to vary according to the number of household
                                     members (from KRW 400,000 for single-person households to 1 million for four-
                                     person households)

                              [Table 1] Eligibility requirement and the amount of assistance by household types
                                                                                                                                              (Unit: KRW)

                                                                             Health insurance premium
                                                                                                                                    Amount of relief
                                                              Employed                   Local             Employed + Local           payment
                                                              subscriber               subscriber            subscribers

                                    Single-person
                                                                88,344                  63,778                         -               0.4 million
                                     households

                                     Two-person
                                                              150,025                  147,928                 151,927                 0.6 million
                                     households

                                    Three-person
                                                              195,200                  203,127                 198,402                 0.8 million
                                     households

                                     Four-person
                                                              237,652                  254,909                 242,715                   1 million
                                     households

                              Note: ‌For families with more than five members, the sum of insurance contributions is calculated based on the number of
                                    household members, but they will receive the amount equivalent to four-person households
                              Source: ‌Government briefings, “The eligible requirement principle of Emergency Relief Payment drawn up” (April 04, 2020)



                              1) ‌Government briefings, “Emergency Relief Payment Plan” (March 30, 2020)
                              2) ‌Wealth is to be added to the eligibility requirement (under internal review by the governmnet). The non-subscribers to
                                    national health insurance are also to be added.
                                                             Focus


                - ‌­­­Means of payment: Cash or voucher. Currently, the latter(regional gift certificates
                  or local currency) is under review.

                - ­‌­­­ The total volume and source of finance: A total of 9.1 trillion won is to be spent
                  (7.1 trillion won and 2 trillion won funded by the central government and local
                  government respectively)3)
                  •‌The 7.1 million won to be spent by the central government is drawn up in the second
                   supplementary budget. However, it will be fully financed by restructuring the annual
                   expenditure of the original budget.
                  •‌The 2.0 million won will be financed by spending restructuring and the local government
                   funds (Disaster Management Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, and Regional Development Fund)

              Despite the government’s official announcement, there were recent calls for extending the grant in certain
              amounts to all citizens. The Prime Minister mentioned that universal assistance may be realized as long as
              a system is in place to reclaim the payment offered to high-income earners (April 8, 2020)




Cases in
             ‌Direct cash assistance measures in major economies

major           - ‌­­­The eligibility requirements and volume of assistance vary by countries
economies
            [Table 2] Summary of direct cash assistance in major economies

                                                                                              Details

                                                               US$1200 for individuals with annual adjusted gross income
                                                               below US$75,000 Based on the 2018 or 2019 income if
                                                               income is not confirmed yet. (US$150,000 for couples who
                                                               file jointly)
                                    Eligibility/Amount of         ※ ‌The stimulus check is reduced by US$5 for every
                                          assistance                 US$100 for individuals earning more than US$75,000
                                                                     → This makes individuals earning above the income
                                                                     threshold of US$99,000 (US$198,000 for couples who
                                                                     file jointly) ineligible for the stimulus check.
             United States1)                                      ※ An extra US$500 per qualifying child

                                                               Direct deposit or paper checks sent by mail
                                                                 ※ ‌Without application, the stimulus check is paid out
                                     Means of payment              automatically using the banking/address information
                                                                   the taxpayer has previously provided to the Internal
                                                                   Revenue Service(IRS) for tax returns.

                                      Total volume of          Approximately US$ 290 billion3) (at least 93.6 % of filers are
                                        assistance             expected to receive the stimulus check)

                                                               ¥300,000 for households with reduced income
                                    Eligibility/Amount of
                                                                ※ ‌Income requirements: 50% or more decrease in income or
                                          assistance
                                                                  residence tax reduced below the tax exemption limit

                  Japan4)                                      Direct deposit to account
                                     Means of payment
                                                                 ※ Payment is made upon application

                                      Total volume of          Approximately ¥4 trillion (10 million out of 58 million
                                        assistance             households are expected to be eligible)


            3) ‌According to the article titled “Congress Approves Economic Relief Plan for Individuals and Businesses” published by
               the Tax Foundation(US NGO) on March 30, 2020, 93.6% of the taxpayers are likely to receive the aid. Non-taxpayers
               and children are all subject to the aid; thus, at least 93.6% or more are subject to the aid.
                                                Focus



                                                                  Details

                     Provide operational costs for 3 months for freelancers, self-employed, and small
                     business with less than 10 employees
                       ※ ‌Up to €9,000 for freelancers, self-employed, and small business and up to
     Germany
                         €1,500 for businesses with 6 - 10 employees
                       ※ ‌Advance payment is made upon request. However, an evidential document must
                         be submitted to prove that the applicant has been experiencing difficult cash flow.

                     Provide €1500 to freelancer, self-employed. and small businesses with less
                     than 10 employees whose profit for the last financial year is less than €1 million
      France
                     and is experiencing 50% or more loss in profits or temporal shut down of the
                     business(maximum 1200)

                     HK$10,000 (approximately KRW1.55 million) assistance for all permanent residents
    Hong Kong
                     (individuals)

                     S$100-300 (approximately KRW85,000-260,000) assistance for all Singaporeans
                     (individuals) depending on income.
    Singapore
                        ※ ‌Additional assistance for parents with qualifying children, Singaporeans aged
                          50 years and above, and low-income families.

1) ‌Also known as Tax Rebate. The bill CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) is passed by the
   House and signed by the president on March 27, 2020.
2) Based on the 2018 or 2019 income if income is not confirmed yet.
3) ‌According to “Congress Approves Economic Relief Plan for Individuals and Businesses” published by Tax Foundation(US
   NGO) on March 30, 2020, 93.6% of the taxpayers are likely to receive the aid. Non-taxpayers and children are all
   subject to the aid; thus, at least 93.6% or more are subject to the aid.
4) ‌Known as the “Livelihood support temporal aid,”,the Japanese government has been promoting measures after the
   official announcement of the assistance on April7, 2020.
Source: NABO



 ‌Analysis of the economic impact of the past direct cash assistance in major
    economies
    - ‌­­­­­During the global financial crisis (2008-2009), the United States, Japan, and Taiwan
      offered cash assistance to their people and analyzed its economic impact.

    - ‌­Tax Rebate in the United States (2001, 2008)
     •Policy Overview
                                               Focus



[Table 3] Overview of the US Tax Rebate

                               2001                                              2008

                             In line with
    Objective                                     In response to the global financial crisis
                        tax reduction policy

                                                  Individuals with annual adjusted income of US$75,000 or
                                                  less (US$150,000 for married couple)
                                                    * ‌When exceeding the income threshold is exceeded,
                                                      5% of the exceeding amount is deducted from the
                                                      refund → Individuals with above the income threshold of
                                                      US$87,000 (US$174,000 for couples who file jointly) are
     Eligibility                 All
                                                      ineligible for the stimulus check.
                                                    * ‌The income threshold of US$870,000 in 2008 is 169.8%
                                                      compared with US GDP per capita in the same year
                                                      which is US$51,000. This is similar to the income
                                                      threshold of US$99,000 in 2020(168.9%) compared with
                                                      the US GDP per capita of US$59,000 in the same year.

                      US$300 per individual
                      (US$600 for married
    Amount of                                     US$600 per individual (US$1200 for married couple)
                            couple)
    assistance                                     * An extra US$300 per child below age 17
                       * US$500 for single
                             parent

    Means of
                     Direct deposit or paper checks sent by mail
    payment

Source: NABO


     •‌Conclusion: The related research from CBO report is summarized as follows:
        1. ‌The spending stimulus effect varies from study to study and the interpretations of the same
           results also vary.
        2. ‌The analysis of 2001 Tax Rebate indicates that the consumption was relatively high among low
           income families.
        3. The analysis of 2008 Tax Rebate indicates that the spending of the elderly relatively expanded.


[Table 4] Summary of US Tax Rebate Analysis

   Author(Year)              Study title                                        Details

                                                  <Analysis of the government’s Consumer Expenditure Survey>
                                                  - ‌After receiving the rebate, expenditure on food and non-
                                                    durable goods increased 11 % and by 37%, respectively →
 David Johnson       “Household Expenditure         Short-term effects
  and others           and the Income Tax         - ‌Low income households spent much larger fraction of the
     (2004)             Rebates of 2001”            rebate: Low-income households with an annual income
                                                    of less than US$34,300 spent 0.624 on non-durable goods
                                                    whereas households with an annual income of US$69,000
                                                    or more spent 0.255.

                                                  <Conclusion of the survey>
                      “Household Response         - ‌20% of the respondents showed increased consumption,
 Claudia R.Sahm
                     to the 2008 Tax Rebate:        28% spent on savings and 52% spent paying debt
    and others
                       Survey Evidence and        - ‌26% of the elderly respondents(age 65 years and above)
      (2009)
                     Aggregate Implications”        showed increased consumption, which is higher than that
                                                    of younger respondents (age 30 years or less), at 11%.

Source: ‌Reproduced based on the studies referred to the Congressional Budget Office titled “Did the 2008 Tax Rebates
        Stimulate Short-Term Growth?” (June 10, 2009).
                                                                 Focus


                     - ‌­­Japan’s cash assistance (2009)
                      •‌Overview: ¥12,000 for individuals aged 18-65 years and, ¥20,000 for those aged 65
                       years and above → Stimulus check wired to bank account without any limitations on usage
                       and period.
                         ※ ‌In line with the cash assistance provided by the central government, a significant number of local
                           governments offered gift vouchers and other means of support (1,084 out of around 3,200 local
                           government provided a total of ¥134.8 cash assistance)

                      •‌Conclusion: The analysis is conducted by the Japanese government (Cabinet Office) on
                       cash assistance is summarized as follows:
                         1. The impact on consumption behavior varies by research method.
                         2. ‌Households with a child (40%), households with more than two children (70%), and the elderly
                            (37%) showed relatively increased consumption.


                 [Table 5] The Japanese government(Cabinet Office)’s analysis of the 2009 cash assistance

                                           Analysis method                                        Results


                                                                    The effect on consumption behavior: Consumption increased
                                                                    by 32.8% compared with the volume of cash assistance
                    First analysis
                                                Survey                ※ ‌¥136.38 million out of ¥415.85 million of cash
                  (January, 2010)
                                                                        assistance provided to survey respondents (9,194
                                                                        individuals) was used in consumption


                                                                    The impact on consumption: Consumption increased by 25%
                                      Household data analysis
                                                                    compared with the volume of the cash assistance. However,
                  Second analysis        by the Ministry of
                                                                    the increase in consumption was 40% in households with a
                   (April, 2012)        Internal Affairs and
                                                                    child (70% for households with more than two children), 37%
                                         Communications
                                                                    for the elderly, which are relatively higher than the average.

                 Source : ‌Cabinet Office of Japan, “Survey on Consumption related to cash assistance”(January, 2010). Cabinet Office of
                          Japan, “How did cash assistance affect household consumption? - Analyzing household survey data”(April, 2014).


                     - ­Shopping Vouchers in Taiwan (2009)
                      •‌Overview: A total NT$ 2.57 billion scale of shopping vouchers was offered: NT$ 3,600
                       (approximately KRW 160,000) per individual with time limit (January – September 2009)
                         ※ In line with the cash assistance, many stores in Taiwan conducted promotion/discount events.

                      •‌Conclusion4): The marginal propensity to consume is 0.243. However, if there were no
                       promotion or discount events, the MPC is 0.164, which is somewhat lower.



Cases in Local
                  ‌Economic Relief Plan of local governments

governments          - ‌­­­­­­17 metropolitan governments and 45 local governments announced the economic
of Korea               relief plan. Meanwhile, 14 metropolitan governments and 16 local governments
                       obtained a resolution on the relief package from the local council.
                      •‌As the Emergency Relief Payments of the second supplementary budget is matched with the
                       relief fund of the local government(20%), some local governments are revisiting their relief funds.

                     - ‌­­The title, eligibility requirement, volume, method of application and payment,
                       financing vary by local governments.

                 4) ‌KAMHON KAN, SHIN-KUN PENG & PING WANG, “Understanding Consumption Behavior: Evidence from Consumer’s
                    Reaction to Shopping Vouchers,” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Sep.2019(1), pp.137-153.
                                          Focus



[Table 6] Emergency Relief Plan of local governments (As of April 7, 2020)
① Universal assistance                                                                (Unit: KRW 100 million)

                         Title        Eligibility     Amount        Means of payment          Total budget

                                                       KRW
  Gyeonggi- do     Disaster Relief        All                      Local currency card,
                                                    100,000 per                                 13,642
    Province           Fund           residents                    credit/prepaid card
                                                      person

                   Gwangmyeong
   Gyeonggi                               All       KRW 50,000
                   Disaster Relief                                  Local currency card             158
 Gwangmyeong                          residents      per person
                       Fund


    Gyeonggi         Crisis Relief        All       KRW 50,000
                                                                    Local currency card           1,031
     Goyang              Fund         residents      per person


    Gyeonggi       Disaster Relief        All       KRW 50,000
                                                                    Local currency card           221.5
     Gimpo             Fund           residents      per person


                       Yeoju                           KRW
    Gyeonggi                              All
                   Disaster Relief                  100,000 per     Local currency card             112
     Yeoju                            residents
                       Fund                           person

                     Emergency                         KRW
   Gyeonggi                               All                          Seongnam gift
                  Livelihood Relief                 100,000 per                                   1,893
   Seongnam                           residents                   certificate, prepaid card
                        Fund                          person

                                                       KRW
    Gyeonggi       Disaster Relief        All                       Local currency card,
                                                    100,000 per                                     480
    Siheung            Fund           residents                     credit/prepaid card
                                                      person

                                                       KRW
    Gyeonggi       Disaster Relief        All
                                                    100,000 per     Local currency card           1,064
     Yongin            Fund           residents
                                                      person


   Gyeonggi        Disaster Relief        All       KRW 50,000
                                                                    Local currency card             226
   Uijeongbu           Fund           residents      per person


                     Emergency                         KRW
    Gyeonggi                              All
                     Livelihood                     100,000 per     Local currency card             454
      Paju                            residents
                    Support Fund                      person

                                                       KRW
    Gyeonggi       Disaster Relief        All
                                                    400,000 per     Local currency card             591
    Pocheon            Fund           residents
                                                      person

                                                       KRW
    Gyeonggi       Disaster Relief        All
                                                    200,000 per     Local currency card           1,660
    Hwasung            Fund           residents
                                                      person

                      Disaster
     Busan                                All       KRW 50,000
                     Emergency                                      Local currency card             109
     Sasang                           residents      per person
                     Relief Fund

                       Gijang                          KRW
     Busan                                All
                   Disaster Relief                  100,000 per              Cash                   150
     Gijang                           residents
                       Fund                           person
                                                  Focus


② Selective support                                                                                   (Unit: KRW 100 million)

                             Title               Eligibility            Amount         Means of payment Total budget

                          Disaster                                     KRW                 Seoul Love
                                              Below 100% of
      Seoul             Emergency                                  300K-500K per         Gift Certificate,        3,271
                                              median income
                     Living Expenses                                 household            prepaid card
                        Emergency
                                             Small merchants         KRW 1M per
      Busan             Livelihood                                                             Cash               1,856
                                             and businesses           individual
                       Support Fund
                          Disaster                                     KRW
                                              Below 100% of
     Daegu              Emergency                                  500K-900K per           Prepaid card           1,749
                                              median income
                     Living Expenses                                 household
                        Emergency
                                              Below100% of          KRW 300K-1M           Local currency
    Gwangju             Livelihood                                                                                   910
                                              median income          per household            (card)
                       Support Fund
                        Emergency
                                               50-100% of          KRW 300K-633K
    Daejeon         Disaster Livelihood                                                    Prepaid card              700
                                              median income         per household
                       Support Fund
                         Disaster                                      KRW               Local Love Gift
                                              Below 100% of
      Ulsan             Emergency                                  400K-600K per           Certificate,           1,055
                                              median income
                        Relief Fund                                  household            prepaid card
                        Emergency
                                              30% above the         KRW 250K per          Local currency
     Incheon              Disaster                                                                                   933
                                              upper income            household               (card)
                      Livelihood Fund

 Gangwon-do                                                         KRW 400K per         Local Love Gift
                        Relief Fund          Vulnerable group                                                     1,200
   province                                                           person               Certificate

 Chungcheong            Emergency                                      KRW               Local Love Gift
                                              Below 100% of
   buk-do                 Disaster                                 400K-600K per           Certificate,           1,055
                                              median income
   province           Livelihood Fund                                household            prepaid card
 Chungcheong            Emergency             Below 80% of           KRW 1M per
   nam-do               Livelihood           median income,           household            Vary by city              320
   province            Support Fund          small merchants          (business)

                        Emergency
                         Livelihood           Below 100% of            KRW
 Jeollanam-do                                                                             Local currency
                     Support Fund for        median income,        300K-500K per                                  1,280
   province                                                                                   (card)
                     vulnerable groups       small merchants         household
                    in COVID-19 crisis

   Gyeonsang                                                           KRW
                        Disaster              Below 85% of
    buk-do                                                         500K-800K per           Prepaid card           2,089
                     Emergency Relief         median income
    province                                                         household
   Gyeonsang                                                           KRW
                      Selective Disaster      Below 100% of
    nam-do                                                         300K-500K per           Prepaid card           1,665
                         Relief Fund          median income
    province                                                         household
                        Emergency             Below 100% of         KRW 600K-1M
  Gangwon,                                                                               Local Love Gift
                        Livelihood           median income,          per household,                                  534
  Gangneung                                                                                Certificate
                       Support Fund          small merchants        1M per business
                                              Below 80% of
 Jeollabuk-do,        Jeonju Disaster        median income,         KRW 500K per         Local Love Gift
                                                                                                                     263
    Jeonju              Relief Fund            non-regular            person               Certificate
                                                 workers
  Gyeongsang             Disaster                                      KRW        Local currency
                                              Below 85% of
    buk-do,             Emergency                                  500K-800K per   (card), Onnuri                     59
                                              median income
  Gyeongsan             Relief Fund                                  household   Shopping Voucher

Note: ‌Data are based on the resolutions obtained from the local council (as of April 7, 2020). The execution and details of
      the program may be revisited in accordance with the local government’s circumstances.
                                                   Focus


 ‌Composition of Emergency Relief Fund of local governments
    - ‌­­­The local governments are appropriating funds from Disaster Management Fund,
      Disaster Relief Fund, and Regional Development Fund. The legal basis and volume
      of each fund are defined in Table 7.

[Table 7] Legal basis and the scale of local government funds
                                                                                     (Unit: KRW 100M, as of end of last year)

                      Legal basis                  Fund                  Volume                        Usage

                                                                                        To prevent any disasters in the
                                            1% of the annual                            pubic sector and for emergency
                     “Framework
                                           average amount of                            restoration of damaged facilities
   Disaster           Act on the
                                          settled accounts of                           (15% of the minimum amount
  Management         Management                                           39,203
                                          revenues from local                           of reserveare used for the
     Fund            of Disasters
                                        tax and general tax for                         statutory deposit)1)
                     and Safety”
                                             the last 3 years                           (21% of the minimum amount
                                                                                        of reserve shall be used)

                                          0.5% of the annual
                                        average amount of the
                                        settled revenues of the                         For emergency relief and
    Disaster            “Disaster
                                         local tax and general           12,4532)       securing disaster relief supplies
   Relief Fund         Relief Act”
                                        tax for the preceding 3                         in case of a disaster
                                        years (0.25% for Seoul
                                           Metropolitan City)

                                                                                        Support projects that promote
                                                                                        resident’s welfare, local
                                          Local government                              public enterprises, and local
   Regional          “Local Public
                                                 bonds                                  development (The bond is
 Development          Enterprises                                       134,593
                                          (Local government                             issued within the limits of
    Fund                 Act”
                                         development bonds)                             the local government bond as
                                                                                        stipulated in Article 11 of the
                                                                                        Local Finance Act)3)

1) ‌The amount of statutory deposit in 2019 is KRW1.205 trillion, and some of these amounts can be used for natural
   disasters with damage exceeding certain extent.
2) ‌This figure is an estimation from the 2019 settlement, which may change when the settlement is completed by the
      local government (May 31).
3) ‌Considering the scale of debt, the schedule for repaying obligations, and other financial situations of local governments
      every year, the Minister of the Interior and Safety determines the amount within 10% of the relevant local government’
      s budget in the year before the preceding year.
Source: Reproduced based on the data submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.


    - ‌­­The top 5 governments with the largest scale of disaster relief budget are
      appropriating funds firstly through Disaster Management Fund. Depending on the
      fiscal conditions, each government appropriates the fund through other funds and
      spending restructuring.
                                                               Focus



               [Table 8] Composition of Emergency Relief Funds by major local governments
                                                                                                                      (Unit: KRW 100M)
                                           Disaster
                                                            Disaster Relief
                                        Management                                      Regional
                Name of the local                               Fund                                  Spending              Total
                                            Fund                                      Development
                  government                                (Accumulated                            restructuring1)        volume
                                        (Accumulated                                     Fund
                                                               amount)
                                           amount)

                     Seoul                  3,271
                                                                    -                     -                -               3,271
                Metropolitan City          (6,197)


                  Gyeonggi-do               3,405                 2,737
                                                                                         7,000           500               13,642
                    province               (6,070)               (2,891)


                     Busan                   463
                                                                   872                    -              521               1,856
                Metropolitan City          (1,142)


                    Daegu                    413
                                                                   165                    -             1,171              1,749
                Metropolitan City          (2,172)


                Gyeongsangbuk-
                                               -                   315                   300             885               1,5002)
                  do province

               1) ‌This figure refers to the amount of funds appropriated by the local governments by reducing the amount intended for
                  projects in the 2020 budget.
               2) ‌Gyeongsangbuk-do’s total amount of budget is KRW208.9 billion, excluding disaster response fund of KRW58.9 billion
                     transferred from the central government.
               Source: Reproduced from the data submitted by local governments




Issues
                ‌A call for social consensus on eligibility and other requirements

and Policy
                   - ‌­The relief package is categorized according to eligibility requirements

Implications
                    •The Emergency Relief Payment can be broadly categorized into “universal assistance” that
                      supports all citizens and “selective assistance” that supports certain groups of people. The
                      latter can be further divided into “income basis” and “damage basis.”
                       ※ ‌Korea’s assistance measure is close to selective assistance that supports citizens in certain income
                         levels. Unlike the United States, which selectively supports “individuals” based on “taxation data,”
                         Korea selectively supports the unit of “households” based on “health insurance premium.”


               [Table 9] Main types of Economic Relief Payment

                                                                        Eligibility                            Countries


                       Universal assistance                          All citizens                   USA1), Hong Kong, Singapore

                                                          Citizens under certain income
                                     Income basis                                                               Korea
                    Selective                                   level (households)
                   assistance                                 Citizens hit by the virus
                                     Damage basis                                                     Japan, Germany, France
                                                                    (individuals)

               1) ‌The United States’ income requirement is $75,000 annual income ($99,000 including the sliding scale). However, its
                  cash assistance is categorized into universal assistance because almost all citizens fall under the eligible criteria.
               Source: NABO
                                       Focus


- ‌­Characteristics and issues of relief package by types
 •Universal assistance: Since universal assistance supports all citizens; hence, no social
   and administrative costs were spent on separate standards, and payment can be made
   quickly. Universal assistance is widely acceptable because there is no concern related
   to discrimination or reversal of income. However, it increases the fiscal burden of the
   government.


     Unlike the government proposal, if the assistance is granted to all citizens in Korea, the
     measures to reclaim the payment offered to high-income earners are expected to take place
     in parallel. However, the government's proposal is designed to offer assistance to households
     rather than individuals, which makes it difficult to set the standard to reclaim the aid under the
     individual-unit income tax system. Moreover, reclaiming 100% of the assistance is difficult under
     the current tax law (up to 42% of the income tax rate) or even through amendments. Thus,
     further discussion is necessary in this regard.


 •Selective assistance (income-basis): The financial burden is lesser in the selective
   program than the universal program. However, it is difficult to set an income eligibility
   requirement that is widely acceptable and reflects the degree of damage from the virus.
   There may be a fierce controversy over equity due to income reversal. Since the payment
   is based on application, it may entail payment delays, administrative expenses, and other
   problems.


     The government's proposal provides disaster relief only to households that fall under the
     eligibility criteria and not for those exceeding the criteria. Thus, income reversal may occur for
     households near the reference point. Therefore, reduced checks on a sliding scale are necessary
     for households that exceed the eligibility criteria.
     In addition, the government's proposal is based on the bottom 70% of income and references
     health insurance premiums to determine the eligibility. This may cause controversy over equity
     due to different calculation standards between the employed and local subscribers.
     In addition, the health insurance premiums are calculated based on the previous year's income,
     not taking the earnings after this year’s COVID-19 into account.
     In response, the government announced its preparation of supplementary measures to help
     local governments determine whether to apply for these measures by reflecting changes in
     income conditions. The deliberation of the National Assembly needs to be carried out in parallel.


 •‌Selective assistance (damage-basis): The program best suits the original purpose and
  the principle of equity. However, as in the selective assistance (income-basis), it is difficult
  to provide assistance promptly due to the time required for setting damage standard and
  screening process.
                                                                                       Focus


                                     ‌Issues on matching the central government’s relief fund with local relief
                                         funds
                                         - ‌­­According to the government proposal, the Emergency Relief Payment (20%,
                                           differential support in the case of Seoul) is partially borne by the local governments.
                                           → For this reason, the local governments responded through the following:
                                         	‌1. Revisit its relief program (Incheon, Chungbuk, etc.)
                                                 2. Refusal to finance the central government Emergency Relief Payment
                                                    (Gyeonggi, Gangwon, etc.)
                                                 3. ‌Objection to the rate of local government expenses in Emergency Relief
                                                    Payment (Seoul).
                                                    Thus, considering the financial situation of local governments, it is necessary
                                                    to discuss the proportion local government fund in the Emergency Relief
                                                    Payment.


                                     ‌Other Considerations
                                         - ‌­­­­Ex-Post-evaluation: The Emergency Relief Payment is the first case in Korea and
                                           will be used as an important standard when similar measures are taken in the future.
                                           → ‌Conduct post-analysis of economic impacts such as increased consumption for
                                                objective evaluation results as a reference.
                                               ※ ‌In the case of Japan, the economic impact analysis was conducted twice in 2010 and 2012 after
                                                 the relief payment in 2009. It was used as a reference for the design of the assistance measure
                                                 introduced recently.

                                         - ‌­Introduce a supplementary measure for the disaster response capabilities of local
                                           governments: A significant number of the local government's aid programs are
                                           composed of disaster management funds; hence, disaster relief funds are expected
                                           to decrease significantly.
                                           → ‌As the resources for future events of disaster such as typhoons and heavy rains
                                                are exhausted, supplementary measures should be reviewed concurrently.

   Conclusion
                                     ‌A discussion on countermeasures along the progression of COVID-19 is
                                         required
                                         - ‌­­­­­Since the Emergency Relief Payment is hastily implemented in response to an
                                           unexpected disaster, prompt payment would be the factor determining the type
                                           of relief package.

                                         - ‌If additional support is required due to the progression of the virus in the future,
                                           the selective assistance focusing on the citizens hit by the virus must be reviewed,
                                           which takes comprehensive factors into account, such as the relevance of damage,
                                           fairness and financial status of the government.




Published byㅣNational Assembly Budget Office     PublisherㅣLee Jonghoo, Chief of the National Assembly Budget Office
Produced byㅣBudget Analysis Division, Administrative Budget Analysis Division of Budget Analysis Department   Contactㅣ+82-2-6788-4621


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