Joo Ho-young: "4th Supplementary Budget Difficult to Pass on 18th... Won't Let It Pass Without Review"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, hinted that it is practically impossible for the Democratic Party of Korea to plan to pass the 4th supplementary budget bill on the 18th, saying, "Saying we will pass it the day after tomorrow means closing our eyes and just going through with it."

On the morning of the same day, Joo told reporters at the National Assembly, "The supplementary budget goes through preliminary review by standing committees and the Budget and Accounts Committee, and now only one or two standing committees have started their review," explaining the situation.

He emphasized, "There is no reason to deliberately delay it, but there will be no passing it without proper review," adding, "Since the entire budget is financed by borrowing, it must be carefully examined on behalf of the people."

Joo also stated that even if the Democratic Party withdraws the plan to provide a uniform 20,000 won communication subsidy, passing the bill on the 18th is physically impossible.

He said, "Nearly one trillion won is allocated for the communication subsidy, but it is not being used effectively and the purpose is unclear," adding, "There are 30 million doses of flu vaccines secured, and up to the 3rd supplementary budget, 19 million people will receive it for free, but the remaining 11 million have to pay for it. I think it would be appropriate to purchase these vaccines and provide them to so-called vulnerable groups."

Joo added, "I understand that Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo do not agree with the communication subsidy, and the Justice Party also opposes it," and said, "Passing it would be problematic. Since it is financed by debt, it should be used effectively."

Regarding Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman, continuing to distance himself from Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, Joo expressed a different view, saying, "I believe that politics is preferably advantageous when it is unified and allied."

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