Ruling Party and Government Agree to Consolidate National Computing Resource Fire Budget Under Interior Ministry, Support Funding Increase

Party-Government Consultative Meeting Held at the National Assembly on November 5
Consensus Reached on Increasing Budgets for Information Security Infrastructure and Social Solidarity Economy

The ruling party and the government have reached a consensus that, ahead of the budget review period, budgets related to the National Computing Resource fire, which are currently distributed across various ministries, should be consolidated under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and that an increase in funding should be considered for disaster recovery efforts.

Yonhap News Agency

On November 5, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a party-government consultative meeting regarding next year's budget and key legislative initiatives, reaching this agreement. After the meeting, Assemblyman Yoon Kunyoung, the ruling party's secretary for the committee, told reporters, "We have agreed to consolidate the budgets related to the National Computing Resource fire, which were previously allocated to various ministries, under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and to increase funding for emergency recovery IT equipment and related costs during the budget review process."

Assemblyman Yoon stated, "Typically, about 158.4 billion won is allocated for upgrading outdated equipment, but the relevant ministries are currently estimating the budget needed to prevent a recurrence of incidents involving national computing resources," adding, "More specific budget details will be coordinated with the government during the National Assembly's review process."

In addition, the ruling party and the government agreed that the budget for strengthening information security infrastructure should be increased beyond the initial government proposal. Furthermore, they decided to increase funding for revitalizing the social solidarity economy to boost local communities, as well as for strengthening public services such as the operation of an integrated permit and civil affairs system.

The budget for the Local Love Gift Certificate program will be set at 1.15 trillion won, as proposed by the government. Assemblyman Yoon explained, "This is clearly distinct from the previous administration's approach," adding, "In particular, for non-metropolitan areas experiencing population decline, a certain portion of government funding will be allocated."

Regarding key legislative initiatives, the Basic Act on Life and Safety will be promoted for passage during the regular National Assembly session. The government also plans to expedite the Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act, the Basic Social Act, and the Local Autonomy Act, based on the consensus reached. Assemblyman Yoon added, "Although it is not a bill from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, there was consensus among lawmakers that the Special Act for Truth and Reconciliation should also be passed during this session," and "Legal revisions will also be made regarding the removal of banners that incite controversy or hatred."

Earlier, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong stated in his opening remarks at the party-government consultative meeting, "Since next year's budget proposal was drafted simultaneously with the establishment of the new administration's policy agenda, many aspects may not have been sufficiently reflected," and requested, "We ask for an increase during the review process." He also emphasized, "Legislative measures such as amending the Local Autonomy Act and enacting the Basic Act on Life and Safety are necessary for the establishment of the national policy agenda."

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