Democratic Party's Historic First Presidential Budget Speech Boycott... Abandoning Basic Duty as Lawmakers

Joo Ho-young "We Must Not Leave a Bad Precedent"
"The Policy Speech Is Also a Show of Power"
'Lee Jae-myung's Shield', Is It Worth Giving Up Even the Responsibilities of a Member of the National Assembly?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] The People Power Party on the 25th criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for attempting to boycott President Yoon Suk-yeol’s policy speech on next year’s budget and urged them to participate.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the floor strategy meeting held that day, "The opposition party should listen to how the government’s budget exceeding 600 trillion won was prepared based on what philosophy and principles to conduct a thorough budget review, which is in line with the spirit of the Constitution and the National Assembly Act." He added, "I earnestly ask that the Democratic Party does not leave a bad precedent by boycotting the president’s budget policy speech for the first time in constitutional history."

Floor leader Joo also said, "Rather than rushing to defend the legal risks of the party leader individually and driving politics into dysfunction, I sincerely ask that personal issues be resolved by the individual and entrusted to the judicial system of the Republic of Korea, and that the focus be placed on national affairs and livelihood issues."

Seong Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also emphasized, "The president’s policy speech has never been interrupted before and is a constitutional obligation to report to the people," adding, "I hope the Democratic Party will uphold the beautiful tradition of never boycotting it until now."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Senior spokesperson Yang Geum-hee also said in a briefing that day, "The president’s policy speech is addressed to the representatives of the people, not to the Democratic Party," and criticized, "The Democratic Party, with its 169 seats, has created another tragic chapter in constitutional history by showing off its overwhelming majority." Yang asked, "Democratic Party members should reflect on the reasons for boycotting today’s policy speech," and questioned, "Is shielding the illegal presidential election fund allegations against leader Lee Jae-myung worth giving up the basic duty of a member of the National Assembly as a representative of the people?"

Floor spokesperson Kim Mi-ae also stated in a commentary that day, "The National Assembly policy speech is a solemn occasion where the president explains to the National Assembly, the representatives of the people, how the people’s tax money will be spent and seeks cooperation," adding, "Even during the Korean War in 1950, the National Assembly policy speech on the government budget was held." She continued, "No one has given the Democratic Party the authority to refuse the National Assembly policy speech," and criticized, "The Democratic Party is serving only leader Lee Jae-myung, not the people."