Choi Sangmok: "Supplementary Budget Needed... Let's Discuss Basic Principles at Policy Council"

On Ma Eunhyeok's Appointment:
"Must Wait for Constitutional Court's Decision"
Heated Exchanges Between Parties...
"Veto President" and "Dementia" Remarks Directed at Park Jiwon

Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, is responding to lawmakers' questions during the economic sector interpellation held at the National Assembly plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

On February 13, Choi Sangmok, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated regarding the supplementary budget (extra budget) that "the government is also open to discussions" and proposed that the matter be discussed at the tripartite government-ruling-opposition policy council.

During the government interpellation session held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Acting President Choi said, "I heard today's announcement from the Democratic Party, and after listening to the speeches by the leaders of both parties in the National Assembly, it seems there is recognition of the need to discuss an extra budget," explaining his position.

Earlier that day, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed a supplementary budget of 35 trillion won. This is 5 trillion won more than the "at least 30 trillion won" extra budget mentioned by Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung in his recent speech as the representative of a negotiating bloc.

Acting President Choi explained, "The government also believes it is necessary to discuss this, given the difficulties faced by the public and the uncertainties in global trade," and added, "Since a policy council is scheduled, I hope we can discuss the basic principles of the extra budget there."

Regarding the appointment of Ma Eunhyeok as a Constitutional Court justice nominee, Acting President Choi said, "We must respect the decisions of the Constitutional Court, but since a decision has not yet been made, it is difficult to make any assumptions," expressing a cautious stance.

On the issue of appointing only Cho Hanchang and Jeong Gyeseon among the three Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly, while not appointing nominee Ma, Choi stated, "Please understand that the decision was made to the fullest extent possible within the principles outlined by the previous acting president."

He added, "It is customary for appointments of Constitutional Court justices to be based on an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, and the decision was made accordingly. However, since the Constitutional Court is still deliberating on the legal issues, we are waiting for the outcome."

Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, is attentively listening to a question from Park Jiwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the economic sector interpellation held at the plenary session of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Constitutional Court has completed the pleadings regarding the dispute over the suspension of nominee Ma's appointment and will soon hold a deliberation among the justices before setting a date for the ruling. Acting President Choi has not made a clear statement on whether he would comply if the Constitutional Court concludes that nominee Ma should be appointed.

During the process of responding to questions from Park Jiwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, there were heated exchanges among lawmakers from both parties.

When Representative Park criticized Acting President Choi by saying, "You are not the Acting President, but the Acting Veto President," a ruling party lawmaker shouted "dementia." This led to disorder as opposition lawmakers shouted back, "Who said that?"

National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik stated, "The remarks in the plenary session are excessive," and added, "As members of the National Assembly, we should speak with at least a minimum level of respect. Calling a senior member 'dementia' is also excessive."

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