"Will Have Amendments Cutting Unjustified Budget Beyond Original and Preliminary Budgets"
"Government and Ruling Party's Budget Looks Rushed... Like a Fake Mother"
Park Hong-geun "If Ultra-Wealthy Tax Cuts Are Withdrawn and Livelihood Budget Accepted, Processing Within Legal Deadline Is Possible"
[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] The Democratic Party of Korea announced that it is considering a plan to process at least the reduced budget items related to next year's budget bill. In cases where an increase requires government approval, if the government and ruling party do not agree, the opposition party can still process a budget bill reflecting only the reduction plan.
On the 28th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "The Democratic Party cannot agree to unreasonable budgets such as the Police Bureau or ultra-rich tax cuts," adding, "Regarding next year's budget, if necessary, instead of choosing between the government's original plan and a provisional budget, we will exercise our authority to select the Democratic Party's amendment that reduces improper budgets even if we cannot increase the budget." He continued, "I urge the government and ruling party to engage in serious negotiations and approach this with a sincere attitude as they are responsible for national management."
Lee criticized the government and ruling party regarding the budget bill process, saying, "The government and ruling party do not seem to be in any hurry at all. It feels like a fake mother who only cares about property regardless of whether her child dies. The ruling party should make efforts, but instead, they are forcing the opposition to make those efforts."
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also said, "So far, the government's and ruling party's attitude during budget review feels like talking to a brick wall," adding, "If the government and ruling party give up the ultra-rich tax cuts exceeding 60 trillion won, significantly increase the livelihood budget for seniors, self-employed, youth, farmers, and the disabled, and boldly cut wasteful budgets related to the presidential office relocation or illegal enforcement ordinances, the budget bill can be processed even before the legal deadline." He urged, "We call for a progressive stance from the government and ruling party for the smooth processing of the budget bill."
After the meeting, Ahn Ho-young, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, told reporters, "Rather than deciding a position on this issue, the government should persuade the opposition and make practical efforts for the budget, but they are not doing so concretely," explaining, "It seems like they are viewing it as either accepting the government's original plan or pushing for a provisional budget, shifting responsibility to the opposition." He added, "From the opposition's perspective, we are not being forced to make such a choice but will do our best to reduce unnecessary budgets and reflect necessary livelihood budgets. Since there is no possibility of increasing the budget, we will also fully consider the amended budget that cuts unnecessary items," and said, "We hope the government will engage sufficiently in negotiations regarding the budget."
Park, the floor leader, also told reporters, "Regarding the budget bill, the only remaining issue is whether to process a sole amendment or a consensus amendment," adding, "Everything depends on how much the government and ruling party accept the opposition's reasonable claims." On processing an amendment reflecting only reductions, he explained, "We are keeping all possibilities open and are reviewing it practically."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
