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DAY BREAK 06:00
Coming up on this Monday edition of Day Break, the presidential office tries to ease public anxiety about the government's recently announced pension plan. But the discord enters a new phase as the welfare minister insists he will step down whether President Park wants him to or not.
The National Assembly is set to normalize operations after a month of suspension, but issues like the latest welfare controversy and the opposition's unwavering demand to reform the spy agency are expected to put the brakes on parliamentary proceedings.
Plus, the clock is ticking toward a possible federal government shutdown in the U.S. this week as the Republican-strong House and the Democrat-led Senate wrangle over President Obama's controversial healthcare reforms.. Day Break begins now.
ed: mark
Title: 06 Daybreak Title
Title: Opening
You're watching Day Break on Monday, September 30th.
And I'm Choi You-sun in Seoul.
Title: Welfare Minister insists on stepping down despite Pres. Park's refusal to accept resignation
While the presidential office tried to reassure the public about the long-term benefits of the reduced pension Sunday, the country's welfare minister has insisted he will step down as he does not support the plan.
Our presidential office correspondent Eoh Jin-joo reports.
Health and Welfare Minister Chin Young once again made it clear that he will not return to work, despite President Park's decision to turn down his resignation last week.
Chin offered to step down on Friday, taking responsibility for not being able to fulfill President Park's key welfare pledge on basic pension.
On Sunday, Chin told reporters that he had opposed and is still against the idea of linking the new basic pension program with the national pension and had expressed his views to the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae a number of times.
Under the new basic pension plan unveiled last week, only the lower 70 percent income bracket of senior citizens aged 65 and above will receive up to 200-thousand won, or about 186 U.S. dollars, falling short of President Park's original pledge to provide the maximum 186 dollars to all Koreans in this age group.
However, even for those in the bottom 70 percent, 10 percent of them will receive as little as 93 dollars, in accordance with how long they have contributed to the NATIONAL pension system.
Chin stressed that his resignation is a matter of conscience as it wouldn't be possible to persuade the public nor the National Assembly as a minister, if he himself doesn't agree with the new plan.
Chin's decision is causing quite a stir as critics say it shows President Park can't control one of her closest aides and struggles to resolve differences on key policies with related ministries.
It could also make the public question the government's pension program altogether,with Chin, who was in charge of drawing up her welfare pledges and other policy goals, has clearly expressed his opposition to the new system.
Eoh Jin-joo, Arirang News.
