Kim Jong-in "Supplementary Budget Proposed Just Days After Year Start... Government Unable to See One Step Ahead"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party, which hinted at the possibility of providing disaster relief funds through a supplementary budget (추경), saying, "How can it be a supplementary budget when the year has just started a few days ago?" and called it "government management that cannot even look a month ahead."

On the 5th, during the opening remarks at the People Power Party's 2nd Ontact Policy Workshop, Chairman Kim said, "I think this administration is a government with absolutely no ability to predict situations that may unfold in the future."

Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's indication of providing disaster relief funds, he pointed out, "During the last budget session, our party said, 'Since we don't know how long the COVID-19 situation will last, let's secure disaster relief funds in the 2021 budget,' and we barely secured 3 trillion won," adding, "Now suddenly, just a few days into the year, the talk of a supplementary budget is coming up, which is the reality of this government." This criticizes the reliance on a supplementary budget despite the need to have secured disaster relief funds in advance during last year's budget process.

Regarding the by-elections in April this year, Chairman Kim emphasized, "It is an election that sums up the past four years of the Moon administration," and "I think the election will be decided by a judgment on the administration."

He said, "For the opposition party to take over the administration based on the ruling party's failures, the most necessary thing is to win the hearts of the people and make thorough preparations," adding, "If excellent candidates are selected for the Busan and Seoul mayoral by-elections, victory in this election is guaranteed."

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