Lee Nak-yeon Proposes Increasing Next Year's Budget Beyond 604 Trillion Won in Meeting with Yoon Ho-jung

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former leader and Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon expressed the need to expand next year's budget beyond the 604.9 trillion won previously agreed upon by the party and government, reflecting an active response to 'With Corona.'

On the morning of the 25th, after meeting with Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung, Lee said, "I requested Floor Leader Yoon to prepare next year's budget expansively in line with the changes brought by 'With Corona.'" He added, "Now is the time to start programs aimed at recovery, rather than just applying painkillers to the suffering caused by COVID-19."

After the meeting with Floor Leader Yoon, Lee told reporters, "If it is difficult to change the budget framework due to scheduling, it is necessary to discuss with the government from the early stages of the National Assembly's review," expressing his intention to increase next year's budget beyond the amount agreed upon by the party and government.

On the 23rd, at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office, Lee had argued that an active response budget considering the transition to the 'With Corona' system should be reflected to usher in the era of a 650 trillion won national budget next year.

Regarding concerns within the party about a presidential candidate speaking ahead of the government on 'With Corona,' Lee said, "A presidential candidate can sometimes be ahead. It is not a discord," adding, "Director Jeong Eun-kyung of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency also attended the National Assembly's Welfare Committee and spoke in that direction, confirming that our views are not at odds."

Regarding the Media Arbitration Act, which is pending approval in the plenary session of the National Assembly, Lee expressed support, saying, "If the media is part of a system, the trend of the times is for all systems to protect citizens' fundamental rights and property interests. There will be a groundbreaking advancement in remedying media victims." However, he added that the timing of the law's passage would be decided at the floor level.

Lee also said, "I told Floor Leader Yoon that it would be good to reconstitute the Special Committee on Prosecutorial Reform, and Yoon said that since the committee is a party issue, not a floor issue, he would convey this to the party leader." However, Yoon explained that at the floor level, they are ordering the Judiciary Committee to start public hearings on prosecutorial and judicial reforms as soon as possible to gather opinions.

Regarding the installation of a branch of the National Assembly in Sejong, Lee said, "It should be processed in the plenary session as soon as possible to start the design," adding, "Our Democratic Party needs to quickly visualize a firm commitment to approach this as balanced development."

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