Environment and Labor Committee Cuts 238.2 Billion Won from 'Youth Work Experience Budget' in Opposition-Only Vote

Ruling Party Skips Meeting... "Opposition to Unilateral Resolution"

On the 16th, the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee held a plenary session and, with the Democratic Party of Korea acting alone, approved the Ministry of Employment and Labor's budget for next year, which included a complete cut of the budget for the 'Youth Employment Career and Work Experience Support Project.'

The Ministry of Employment and Labor's general account budget passed by the Environment and Labor Committee on that day increased by 18.618 billion KRW from the government proposal but was reduced by 240.14 billion KRW, resulting in a total decrease of 221.486 billion KRW. The entire budget of 238.213 billion KRW for the Youth Employment Career and Work Experience Support Project was cut.

In response, members of the People Power Party opposed the sole approval and did not attend the meeting.

Earlier, during the Environment and Labor Committee's Budget and Accounts Subcommittee meeting, Democratic Party members requested an increase in the budget for the 'Youth Tomorrow Filling Deduction' program, which supports long-term youth employment and asset formation, but failed to reach an agreement due to opposition from the government and the ruling party. Consequently, the Democratic Party responded by completely cutting the budget for the Youth Employment Career and Work Experience Support Project as proposed by the government.

After the approval, Democratic Party members of the Environment and Labor Committee held a press conference, claiming that "the Ministry of Employment and Labor's budget proposal for next year submitted by the government ignores the 'tears of the vulnerable'." They pointed out that although the Youth Tomorrow Filling Deduction program was highly popular, the government submitted a proposal with a 420 billion KRW cut.

On the other hand, regarding the Youth Employment Career and Work Experience Support Project, they explained the reason for the cut as "a project that continues to inflict 'hope torture' on youth by relying solely on the goodwill of companies without any guarantees."

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik is listening to questions from lawmakers at the Environment and Labor Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lee Jung-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, expressed deep concern at the plenary session over the budget review results, saying, "It is very worrisome that the budget for projects most desired by youth and in high demand by companies was completely cut."

Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration's general account budget increased by 9.912 billion KRW without any cuts. The Ministry of Environment's general account budget was approved with an increase of 386.041 billion KRW compared to the government proposal.

The Environment and Labor Committee has requested the attendance of DL Group Chairman Lee Hae-wook and SPC Chairman Heo Young-in as witnesses at the industrial accident-related hearing scheduled for the 1st of next month.