Lee Nak-yeon and Kim Jong-in, De Facto Agreement on Selective Disaster Relief Payments and 4th Supplementary Budget

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[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, have formed a consensus on the selective payment of the 2nd emergency disaster relief fund and the formulation of the 4th supplementary budget (supplementary budget) plan, raising expectations that bipartisan cooperation will open up.

In an interview with tbs radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' on the same day, Lee said regarding the discussion on the 2nd disaster relief fund, "The party and government are discussing behind the scenes, and a major outline will be drawn this week," adding, "We need to conclude (the support plan) by early next week to be able to formulate the supplementary budget."

When asked whether the 3rd and 4th disaster relief payments should also be considered, Lee emphasized, "That also needs to be considered," adding, "We have no choice but to consider that this might be the last due to the COVID-19 pandemic." This means that considering the damage caused by the COVID-19 situation is not something that can be resolved immediately, the review of the 3rd and 4th support payments should continue.

However, regarding the method of payment, he expressed a cautious stance, saying, "We are discussing the possibilities," but drew a clear line on the possibility of universal payment, stating, "The trend does not seem to be that way."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The selective payment method is not strongly opposed by the United Future Party either, so the agenda of the '3rd disaster relief fund' is likely to become the starting point for bipartisan cooperation. In particular, Kim, the emergency committee chairman, has previously shown an open stance on the formulation of the 4th supplementary budget, increasing the possibility that both parties will work together on the supplementary budget discussions.

In fact, Kim said at the first meeting with Lee at the National Assembly that morning, "The United Future Party and I believe that the 4th supplementary budget should be formulated quickly to provide selective support to those experiencing economic difficulties." He added, "Since Leader Lee also thinks about providing selective support to those suffering economic hardships due to COVID-19, I think there will be little disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties on this point."

Lee also raised the possibility of bipartisan cooperation by proposing, "There are common points between the ruling party and us in the 4.15 general election pledges. Let's legislate quickly. If there are common points between the new party platform that the United Future Party is trying to revise and our party platform, let's legislate those quickly as well."

Furthermore, there is speculation that the medical sector strike caused by policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas could also become a subject of bipartisan cooperation. Earlier, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, proposed the formation of a parliamentary consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties and the medical community. In response, Han Jeong-ae, policy chief of the Democratic Party, accepted the proposal and expressed willingness to activate it within this month. On the same day, he said on a radio show, "I also talked to the Korea Intern Resident Association about this. Coincidentally, the opposition party also suggested forming a consultative body with the ruling and opposition parties together," adding, "If there is anxiety about 'What if we ignore it after COVID-19 stabilizes?' we will form the consultative body within the regular September National Assembly."

However, regarding the redistribution of standing committees, Lee repeatedly expressed his principled opposition, which could act as the biggest obstacle to bipartisan cooperation. At a press briefing the day before, Lee virtually rejected the United Future Party's demand for the redistribution of National Assembly standing committee chairs, saying, "I think it is unwise to repeat the twists and turns that continued from May to July." He added, "There were many twists and turns because of that for several months. Since there are many things to handle when the regular National Assembly starts, I hope we do not waste time repeating those twists and turns. That is my basic thought."

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