Presidential policy chief Kim Sang-jo says the size of the fourth round of COVID-19 relief payouts will be around 20 trillion won. 

Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly House Steering Committee on Wednesday, Kim referred to the estimate of 20 trillion won offered by ruling Democratic Party policy chief Hong Ihk-pyo the previous day. 

Kim said that as far as he knows, related deliberations between the government and the ruling party are being finalized in that direction. 

He clarified that the supplementary budget earmarked to finance the emergency relief payments will be less than 20 trillion won, adding the government will also tap into some of the annual budget for emergency use. 

Kim ensured the government is preparing for the new supplementary budget as swiftly as it did during the Asian financial crisis in order to do what it needs to address the growing economic challenges faced by the nation and the public.