Ruling and Opposition Parties Discussed February Supplementary Budget Special Session but Ended 'Empty-Handed'... Special Prosecutor Talks Also at an 'Impasse'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The ruling and opposition parties discussed convening an extraordinary session of the National Assembly for the supplementary budget but failed to reach a consensus. The ruling party insists on finalizing the schedule for the extraordinary session to discuss the supplementary budget, while the opposition argues that it is inappropriate to set the schedule before the government’s position on the supplementary budget is determined. Regarding the Daejang-dong special prosecutor investigation, the two sides also failed to narrow their differences and remain at an impasse.

On the 11th, Han Byung-do, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Chu Kyung-ho, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, met at the National Assembly to discuss the agenda for the extraordinary session. Deputy Floor Leader Han said, "I suggested holding an extraordinary session in February to discuss the supplementary budget related to COVID-19," adding, "The People Power Party expressed a negative stance on convening the session, saying they would review the supplementary budget only if it is formulated."

Deputy Floor Leader Chu explained, "The government has not yet decided or announced whether it will proceed with the supplementary budget, nor has it submitted anything to the National Assembly. It is inappropriate to set a schedule based on such assumptions." He continued, "There are no urgent pending bills through today’s legislative review," and said, "If the government recognizes the need for a supplementary budget, sets a policy, formulates the budget, and submits it to the National Assembly, we will immediately negotiate the schedule for reviewing the supplementary budget." He added, "Since the government is lukewarm about formulating the supplementary budget, it is highly inappropriate to use the opposition as a prop to jointly pressure the ruling and opposition parties."

Regarding the special prosecutor investigation, Deputy Floor Leader Chu stated, "We requested the ruling party’s cooperation in passing the special prosecutor law, but the ruling party is negative about it and keeps repeating talk about a permanent special prosecutor."

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