4th Supplementary Budget, Budget Committee Review Begins… Joo Ho-young "Won't Be Dragged by Dates"

Big Gap Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Communication Costs

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] As the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts began reviewing the 4th supplementary budget on the 18th, the People Power Party warned, "We will not pass the budget like a rubber stamp."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, held a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly that morning and said, "If there is no certainty that it will benefit the country, we will never easily agree just because the deadline is approaching." Although the ruling and opposition parties agreed to handle the 4th supplementary budget bill at the plenary session on the 22nd, they hinted that the review period could be extended depending on the content.

Joo warned, "The government and ruling party hesitated on the 4th supplementary budget and are now rushing to get approval to execute it before Chuseok with their eyes half-closed, only arguing about the tight schedule."

He added, "The 4th supplementary budget is the first such case in 59 years since 1961," emphasizing, "Especially this supplementary budget is entirely borrowed money, which our children or the next administration will all have to repay."

Joo particularly criticized the plan to provide a uniform 20,000 KRW communication subsidy, saying, "They are trying to scatter precious money in meaningless 20,000 KRW increments," and repeatedly demanded the ruling party withdraw it. He stressed, "Just because Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed it, or because the president offers it as a small comfort and sincerity to the people, it cannot simply go through as is. All opposition parties except the Democratic Party oppose it, and 58% of the public also oppose it. If the budget is prepared according to the people's demands, it can be processed quickly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling and opposition parties will hold a plenary meeting that day to conduct comprehensive policy questioning. On the 21st, detailed reviews of each project will be conducted in subcommittees.

However, as the People Power Party clearly opposes providing communication subsidies to all citizens aged 13 and above, difficulties are expected during negotiations. The People Power Party demands a full cut of the 928.98 billion KRW allocated for communication subsidies and insists the funds should be used for free influenza vaccinations, expanding child care cost support, resolving fairness issues in disaster relief payments among taxi drivers, and other purposes.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party expresses reluctance, stating that unconditional withdrawal or reduction of projects without reasonable alternatives is impossible.

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