Joo Ho-young: "No Possibility of Negotiation on the Democratic Party's Reduction Proposal"

"Forceful National Bird Selection Contradicts Ruling and Opposition Agreement"
"Democratic Party's Own Amendment, One of the Worst Methods"
"A Good Concession for the Country" Urging Democratic Party Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 14th that there is "no possibility of negotiation at all" regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's self-proposed reduction-focused amendment to next year's budget bill. Regarding the opposition parties' determination to push forward with a special parliamentary investigation into the Itaewon disaster, he maintained the stance of "processing the budget first, then conducting the investigation."

On the same day, Joo met with reporters at the National Assembly and, when asked if there was a possibility of negotiating by accepting the Democratic Party's reduction amendment, he said, "I consider it one of the worst methods." He added, "If the Democratic Party's self-amendment passes, the results of discussions from September to December in each standing committee or the Special Budget and Accounts Committee will not be reflected at all," and emphasized, "It does not fit the national budget system and is the worst. Although the Democratic Party may have proposed it to negotiate, it should never be accepted."

Regarding the major negotiation issue of "corporate tax reduction," he said, "It is not a tax cut for the ultra-rich, but foreign capital coming into our country to establish companies and create jobs there," and added, "Lowering corporate tax is intended to revitalize the economy," emphasizing that "(the Democratic Party's) concession is a good concession for the country."

Joo criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "Passing the budget by cutting all the important projects the government wants to carry out is bullying, a show of force, and disregards the country's finances and economy," but also requested cooperation, saying, "Since there is little time left, both sides need to take a step back and find what they can do." He continued, "The people changed the government to let the Yoon Seok-yeol administration work, so shouldn't we accommodate them in the first year?" and added, "The Democratic Party has no choice but to make concessions."

He reiterated the stance of "budget first, then special investigation." He said, "We agreed to conduct the special investigation after processing the budget, but the budget has not yet been processed, and moreover, the People Power Party members of the special investigation committee have resigned, so it has not been decided whether to accept their resignations," criticizing the opposition's determination to push forward with the investigation as "contrary to bipartisan agreement."

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