Yang Bunam Expresses Regret Over Failure of Supplementary Budget for Senior Centers’ Food Expenses

Yang Bunam, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Seo-gu Eul), commented on the failure of the ‘National Budget Support for Senior Citizens’ Center Food Expenses’ to pass the final plenary session during the 434th National Assembly extraordinary session. He stated, “I feel deeply apologetic for causing confusion and disappointment among our senior citizens.”

Initially, this budget, amounting to 60.5 billion won, passed the Health and Welfare Committee’s subcommittee through the continuous requests of Representative Yang and with the cooperation of the Democratic Party, as well as an agreement between the government (Ministry of Health and Welfare) and both ruling and opposition parties.

Nam Yangbu, Member of the National Assembly.

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Notably, on April 5, the Democratic Party promoted this as one of the “five major budget increases” in its supplementary budget review, issuing a press release under the names of the party’s Policy Committee Chair and the Chair of the Budget and Policy Coordination Committee. At the time of the plenary session, some critics argued that electioneering expenditures had been included ahead of local elections.

As a result, Representative Yang’s office was confident that the budget would be included and expressed both a welcoming stance and the need for prompt budget execution. However, at the final review stage by the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts just before the plenary session, the plan was derailed by an unexpected objection from the budget authorities (Ministry of Planning and Budget), resulting in the exclusion of the item from the supplementary budget.

Despite urgent demands from the public and a legislative agreement, the financial authorities reportedly maintained a rigid position, insisting on utilizing the remaining budget for heating and cooling costs at senior centers for food expenses, instead of increasing the national budget. They suggested reviewing the matter again in the future.

In response, Representative Yang warned, “Telling people to save on heating and cooling costs to pay for food is an irresponsible stopgap measure that ignores the realities on the ground, and this will cause severe welfare imbalances depending on the financial status of each local government.” He further stressed, “The state can no longer allow an abnormal situation where seniors must save on heating and cooling expenses just to afford food in the heat and cold.”

He added, “Although I am extremely embarrassed and sorry for causing confusion and disappointment to our senior citizens due to this unexpected outcome, I will not give up. Even though this supplementary budget has failed to pass, I will do my utmost to keep my promises to our senior citizens.”

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