공용차량 조기구매•공항사용료 감면 연장…주력산업 지원대책 발표<br /><br />The South Korean government on Wednesday announced another 69 billion U.S. dollars to keep more Koreans in jobs and help businesses stay afloat.<br />Now it's laid out how the funds will be used specifically targeting the aviation, auto and shipbuilding sectors.<br />Our Kim Dami has the details.<br />With travel on hold due to the coronavirus, local airlines are facing a meltdown.<br />The number of airport passengers during the second week of April nosedived by over 98 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.<br />To make sure the local aviation industry survives the pandemic, the South Korean government will use some of the 69 billion U.S. dollar COVID-19 support package laid out on Wednesday to help Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.<br />This is the first time that the government has proposed COVID-19 support funds for large airlines.<br />At an emergency meeting on Thursday, finance minister Hong Nam-ki also said the government is reviewing additional liquidity measures for low cost carriers, on top of the roughly quarter of a billion dollars it pumped into the sector in February.<br />It will also postpone payments for airport facility fees from May until August.<br />"Over 90 percent of international air routes have been suspended due to COVID-19. The government's liquidity support and funds are expected to take some of the burden off local airlines."<br />The auto industry has not been forgotten either.<br />Over the next month, the government will pay up to 70% of downpayments in advance for the roughly 87-hundred vehicles that it plans to purchase this year.<br />In addition, it will provide subsidies for purchases of 5-thousand-5-hundred electric cargo trucks.<br />To revive the country's shipbuilding industry, the government has also pledged to keep issuing refund guarantees to help local shipbuilders win overseas contracts.<br />The government also plans to create a task force for industries and businesses, and has pledged to swiftly solve any problems that occur.<br />Kim Dami, Arirang News.<br />
