Minju "Supplementary Budget Must Be Deliberated" VS Tonghap "Trying to Run the Country with Sponsorships"

Ongoing Ruling Party and Opposition Dispute Over 2nd Supplementary Budget Review
Speaker Moon Hee-sang: "Meet with Both Parties by Today to Reach a Conclusion"

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party-government consultation on measures to eradicate digital sex crimes held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, and is talking with Cho Jung-sik, chairman of the Policy Committee, during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, which has prepared a ruling party-government agreement on the nationwide emergency disaster relief fund payment, has once again urged the United Future Party to cooperate in the review of the 2nd supplementary budget bill. On the other hand, the United Future Party argued that submitting a revised budget bill is necessary and that the ruling party-government agreement does not comply with the current tax law system. In this regard, National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang issued a statement today urging the ruling and opposition parties to meet and reach a conclusion, putting pressure on the National Assembly.

Lee In-young, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Democratic Party policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 23rd, "I sincerely thank Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and the government authorities for their decision to accept the party's proposal after much deliberation," adding, "It has become clear that everything now depends on the hands of the United Future Party."

He continued, "I remember that yesterday, United Future Party floor leader Shim Jae-chul said he would accept the ruling party-government agreement if it is brought to them," and emphasized, "I repeatedly request the United Future Party leadership to promptly start the budget review process." He also addressed Kim Jae-won, chairman of the Budget and Accounts Committee from the United Future Party, saying, "There has never been a case in history where a revised supplementary budget bill was submitted," and added, "Please put aside personal opinions and kindly hold the Budget and Accounts Committee meeting."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Chairman Kim appeared on CBS radio that morning and criticized, "(The ruling party-government agreement) tries to run the government like a civic organization," adding, "You cannot run a country by sponsorship."

He pointed out, "Issuing national bonds or raising funds through emergency measures due to a shortage of government funds is quite possible," but "such a method does not exist under the current tax law."

He reiterated the need to submit a revised budget bill. Chairman Kim said, "Increasing or decreasing the budget can be done by adjusting the budget, but issuing more than 3 trillion won in national bonds is not included in the content, so a revised budget bill must be prepared starting from that part," adding, "Even during the general election, there was no proposal to issue national bonds in a way like Bong-i Kim Seon-dal to distribute money."

He criticized, "Budgets are prepared and executed according to the constitution and laws," and said, "Raising national bonds through donations to distribute support funds to the people and then covering that part with donations cannot be considered a normal way of running a country."

Meanwhile, Speaker Moon urged the ruling and opposition parties to agree on the legislative schedule for the 2nd supplementary budget bill by today. Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the National Assembly Speaker, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly that morning and said, "Speaker Moon strongly urged as the National Assembly Speaker that since the emergency disaster relief fund payment is urgent, the ruling and opposition parties should meet today, immediately reach a conclusion, and agree on the legislative schedule."

A National Assembly official, regarding Speaker Moon's message, told reporters, "Since opinions on the emergency disaster relief fund have been gathered between the ruling party and the government, agreement between the ruling and opposition parties is necessary. If the Speaker's role is needed in that process, he will take it," and added, "The emergency disaster relief fund is urgent, but it seems the Speaker perceives that the National Assembly is dragging its feet too much."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.