Hong Nam-ki Visits National Assembly: "Frustrated Over Delay in 3rd Supplementary Budget Approval"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Amid difficulties in organizing the National Assembly, Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, visited the National Assembly on the 24th to urge the swift passage of the 3rd supplementary budget bill (supplementary budget).

Deputy Prime Minister of Economy Hong Nam-ki is paying a courtesy call on National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok on the 24th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the day, Deputy Prime Minister Hong paid a courtesy call on National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok and said, "It has been three weeks since the 3rd supplementary budget bill was submitted to the National Assembly, but it has not been processed," adding, "I know the Speaker must be anxious, but I am also deeply concerned with a heavy heart."

He continued, "Since the supplementary budget contains urgent and essential strategies such as financial support, employment support, and economic reinforcement, I ask for your help even if it is difficult, Mr. Speaker," emphasizing, "Next week is the last week of the June extraordinary session, so I hope it can be passed by the end of next week to allow execution in July."

Speaker Park responded, "Regardless of party lines, I am well aware of the urgency and necessity of the supplementary budget. I will do my best to make efforts."

Afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister Hong paid visits to Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, and Kim Tae-nyeon, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, making similar requests. After meeting with Floor Leader Kim, he told reporters, "I think this supplementary budget is the most important one. Not only in scale but also in content, it includes many important elements. I asked for it to be processed by next week."

He added, "The 1st and 2nd supplementary budgets took 7 days and 3 days respectively to be explained at the National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Committee and passed at the plenary session. Even assuming working days from now, there are still 7 to 8 days left, so I believe there is sufficient possibility for it to be processed within next week."

Regarding Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the United Future Party, who has not yet returned to the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister Hong said, "When Floor Leader Joo returns, I plan to visit him without hesitation to ask for the quick passage of the supplementary budget."

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