Kim Taenyeon: "Today Is the Final Deadline for the Supplementary Budget... It Will Be Passed"

Urges Opposition to Cooperate on Supplementary Budget
Emphasizes Swift Passage Before Chuseok
Highlights Commitment to Power Institution Reforms
Vows to Complete CIO Launch Despite Delays
Reaffirms Moon Jae-in Administration's Goals of Fairness and Justice

[Asia Economy, reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Kim Taenyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 22nd urged the opposition to cooperate, stating, "Today is the final deadline for the National Assembly to process the supplementary budget bill in order to execute it before Chuseok."

Kim Taenyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo doso7@

At the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim declared, "We will do our utmost to ensure the bill is processed today so that we can offer some comfort to the people facing difficulties before Chuseok."

He emphasized, "Small business owners, self-employed individuals, and vulnerable groups who have been hit hardest by COVID-19 are desperately hoping for the supplementary budget to pass," adding, "I want to make it clear that we are taking a flexible approach and negotiating with the opposition to ensure smooth passage."

Regarding the meeting on power institution reform held the previous day between the government, the ruling party, and the Blue House, he said, "At the meeting, we reviewed the status of power institution reforms and agreed to accelerate the process." Kim stressed, "Institutions like the National Intelligence Service, the prosecution, and the police have a history of wielding power above the people as untouchable authorities. With the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration, the Democratic Party began legislating reforms for these institutions."

He continued, "To ensure the reforms are completed without setbacks, the Democratic Party will finalize the National Intelligence Service Act and the National Police Agency Act during this regular session of the National Assembly. We will also swiftly conclude consultations with the opposition on the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and ensure its launch."

He added, "I have a word for the opposition: do not expect that delaying tactics will derail the establishment of the CIO. That will not happen. We will absolutely fulfill the Moon Jae-in administration's goal of creating power institutions that realize human rights, fairness, and justice."