Government Expresses "Deep Regret" Over Passage of 'Universal 250,000 Won Support Act' and Plans to Recommend Veto

Minister of the Interior and Safety Sang-min Lee's Emergency Briefing on the 2nd
"A bill passed under opposition party leadership
without sufficient social consensus"

On the 2nd, the government expressed its position that it cannot accept the 'Nationwide 250,000 Won Support Act,' which was passed by the opposition-led plenary session of the National Assembly, citing not only the financial burden but also the uncertainty of its effectiveness.

Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, "The bill, which lacks the consent of the financial authorities and the government, and has not formed sufficient social consensus, passed the plenary session led by the opposition within the National Assembly without even undergoing detailed scrutiny," adding, "As the minister in charge, I express deep regret and state that the government finds it difficult to accept the bill, consistent with its previous stance."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government plans to request the president's 'veto power' on the bill. Minister Lee said, "The bill that passed the plenary session is about to be transmitted to the government," and added, "Once the bill is transmitted, I will fulfill my duty as the Minister of the Interior and Safety by recommending a reconsideration request as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea."

The so-called 'Nationwide 250,000 Won Support Act,' officially the Livelihood Recovery Support Fund Act, was proposed by Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and was promoted as the Democratic Party's 'No. 1 party policy' in the 22nd National Assembly. It provides regional love gift certificates ranging from 250,000 to 350,000 won to all citizens based on income levels.

Minister Lee stated, "The bill infringes on the government's inherent authority as defined by the Constitution," and explained, "The bill forces the government to prepare a supplementary budget for the support fund within three months after promulgation. This infringes on the government's budget formulation authority granted by the Constitution and effectively monopolizes the National Assembly's budget formulation and execution functions, undermining the essence of the separation of powers."

He also mentioned the fiscal side effects of large-scale cash support. Minister Lee pointed out, "The funds required for the support payments can only be raised through government bond issuance. This will become a huge national debt and a serious problem passed on to future generations." He emphasized that large-scale cash support could lead to side effects such as inflation rather than additional consumption.

He criticized the provision that the support funds be paid in the form of 'regional love gift certificates.' Minister Lee explained, "Most citizens will have to individually apply for the regional love gift certificates in card or paper form to receive the support funds," adding, "Those who are digitally vulnerable may have difficulties applying online or face long waits at community centers and other locations."

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