Park Wanju: "If Additional Budget Increase Gains Sympathy, Hope It Will Be Achieved Even at the Last Minute"

Party Policy Committee Chair: "Small Business Loan Deferral to Be Considered Positively... Party-Government Consultation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Park Wan-joo, the Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 8th regarding the issue of increasing the supplementary budget bill (추경안), "The government is not readily resolving it," adding, "I hope that if there is consensus, it might be achieved even at the last minute."

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that morning, Park spoke about the discussion on increasing the supplementary budget in the National Assembly. He said, "It seems that the ruling and opposition parties exchanged opinions between their floor leaders about the necessary items and budget," and added, "It would be good if the government accepts it respecting both parties' opinions, but until yesterday, the government's stance was that it cannot accept an excessive amount (increase), and that is the current situation."

Regarding the supplementary budget bill, which includes raising the quarantine support fund paid to small business owners affected by COVID-19 from 3 million won to 10 million won and which passed the relevant standing committee in the National Assembly the day before, Park said, "We need to provide substantial support to those in difficulty," but also noted, "We must also consider the acceptability of taxpayers who do not receive it."

He explained that an internal party survey on what amount among 3 million won, 5 million won, and 10 million won would be appropriate as support funds showed that "10 million won had the lowest support."

He added, "The opposition party seems to focus on raising the amount a bit more, while we believe there is a need to strengthen support for those in blind spots," emphasizing, "Since this is about supporting struggling small business owners in a broad sense and not about exclusion or selection, it can be sufficiently discussed."

Regarding the proposal by Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung to ease quarantine restrictions until 24:00 only for those who have received the third vaccination, Park said, "The quarantine authorities are negative, but it is necessary to consider it practically."

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