President Moon Jae-in has suggested that the government consider distributing “consolatory money” to the Korean people to boost public morale and consumption when the COVID-19 crisis is near its end.

According to presidential office spokesperson Kang Min-seok, Moon made the remark during a luncheon with leaders of the ruling Democratic Party on Friday.

Kang said the president underlined that such handouts could encourage the public and facilitate spending in response to DP chairman Lee Nak-yon and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon suggesting direct financial support, largely aimed at stimulating the economy.

Regarding the fourth round of COVID-19 relief assistance, Moon asked the presidential office, government and the ruling party to exert their best efforts to minimize blind spots in the coverage of qualified recipients.

He also called for efforts to establish a system to better identify income levels so that relief payouts are made in proportion. Moon noted that difficulty in determining household income had led to across-the-board relief payments up until now.