Measures needed for hard conditions of common people
Although indexes of economic recovery are being released continuously, the real economic condition has not turned up from the bottom. As little money comes into the pocket, but a large amount goes out, the common people are having difficult lives. What is more frustrating is that the polarization between rich and poor is getting more severe.
According to a report by the National Statistical Office, 30% of national households have suffered an increase of the deficit in real income during the third quarter of this year. For the first time, over two million people were driven to the verge of bankruptcy and then filed for bankruptcy, which is three and half times as many as during the same period last year.
What is worse, upward readjustment of bank interest rates is putting more burden on the shoulders of the common people. Since upward readjustment of call interest rates in October, bank interest rates have been increasing, which add financial burden to the common people in debt. The people want some improvement in the economic situation in order to experience economic recovery, but the situation is getting worse.
First of all, some people are suffering comparative poverty as the gap between rich and poor is widening. Some poor people are suffering unemployment while rich people are enjoying large incomes from speculation and high interest rates. In reality, the wealthy class sneers at the poor in South Korea. This kind of phenomenon is not helpful to the harmony and unity of our society, and may cause some social instability.
Confucius said, "It is easy for the rich to be modest, but it is difficult for the poor not to complain to others." Since the period of the IMF crisis, about ten million of a new lower class have been on the rise. The government should guarantee a minimum cost of living for the poor, and take some practical measures for the unemployed. In addition, they should help independent enterprises that are in difficulty in order to prevent complaints from the lower brackets. They also should clearly show the people their strong willingness to change the worsening condition of distribution.
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 / 입력시간: 2005. 11.18. 09:39
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