Amid Worst Wildfire... Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Increasing 'Disaster Reserve Funds'

The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the formulation of a supplementary budget (supplementary budget) for wildfire damage recovery. The ruling People Power Party argued that since the country is facing a national disaster due to the massive wildfire, the Democratic Party should immediately restore the size of this year's contingency fund that it had cut. On the other hand, the opposition Democratic Party countered that the already allocated disaster contingency fund is sufficient, and that a supplementary budget for nationwide livelihood recovery support funds is necessary.

According to political circles on the 28th, the background of the conflict over increasing the contingency fund between the ruling and opposition parties lies in the fact that during last year's budget formulation process, the size of the contingency fund was cut in half from the government's original plan of 4.8 trillion won to a final 2.4 trillion won. The contingency fund for disaster response of 1.6 trillion won and the general contingency fund of 800 billion won were reduced.

Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

The People Power Party claimed that due to the opposition-led drastic cuts to the contingency fund, there is insufficient budget to respond to consecutive disaster situations. Kwon Young-se, the emergency committee chairman, emphasized, "This wildfire is a very exceptional case, so we must consider everything," and stressed the need to devise measures such as allocating contingency funds in the supplementary budget. Kim Sang-hoon, the policy chief of the People Power Party, also raised his voice, saying, "The Democratic Party should apologize for cutting the contingency fund and cooperate with the supplementary budget for disaster contingency funds."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party rebutted the People Power Party's claims. Heo Young, the opposition whip of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee from the Democratic Party, said, "The 4.8 trillion won contingency fund submitted by the government was an excessive amount compared to the allocation during the COVID-19 situation," and argued, "The claim that the opposition-led cuts to the contingency fund worsened disaster response is incorrect." Since their own supplementary budget proposal last month included 900 billion won for national safety budgets, they maintain that the disaster response budget is sufficient.

The government emphasized that since a considerable budget is expected to be spent on wildfire damage support in the future, an increase in the contingency fund through a supplementary budget is necessary. A Prime Minister's Office official explained, "The wildfire has not yet been completely extinguished, and it is difficult to know how much budget will be needed for housing repair support, etc.," adding, "It is hard to say that the remaining contingency fund is sufficient."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at an emergency meeting of the Special Committee on Wildfire Disaster Response held at the National Assembly on March 27, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

원본보기 아이콘

Amid the ongoing disaster situation and the controversy over contingency fund allocation, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, requested Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to "meet immediately within the day to protect the constitutional order and overcome wildfire damage." The government and both parties aim to unite public opinion and mobilize national power in this national disaster situation.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party leadership plans to visit the wildfire damage sites and evacuee shelters in Andong and Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, in the afternoon to discuss fire suppression and damage recovery and volunteer in meal distribution. The Democratic Party leadership plans to visit the wildfire command post in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, and focus on supporting victims at the evacuee shelters in the afternoon.

Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.