"Scale Reduced"... National Budget of 127 Billion Won Used
Coronation Proceeded Despite Criticism
"Child Poverty Severe... Absurd Things Happening"
The UK government has revealed that it used a national budget of ?72 million (approximately 127 billion KRW) for the coronation of King Charles III.
On the 21st (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported, citing the annual report released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the government department responsible for overseeing the coronation. According to the report, the royal family spent ?50.3 million (approximately 88.684 billion KRW) on King Charles III's coronation held on May 6 last year. Additionally, ?21.7 million (approximately 38.26 billion KRW) was confirmed to have been spent on security operations on the day.
About 4,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were mobilized for the coronation procession in which King Charles III and Queen Camilla rode in the Gold State Coach. The rehearsals reportedly lasted nearly six weeks. Although there were criticisms that spending such a large amount on the coronation was extravagant amid the country's economic difficulties, the royal family stated, "It is a once-in-a-generation moment," and "a special opportunity to strengthen British identity and showcase it to the world." They also added, "Considering the poor economic conditions, the scale of the coronation was reduced compared to the past." In fact, the number of attendees was reduced and the duration of the event was shortened compared to previous coronations.
The Guardian reported, "It is estimated that about 20 million people watched the live broadcast of King Charles III's coronation," noting that "this number is lower than the approximately 30 million who watched the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II." This is interpreted as reflecting growing public indifference toward the royal family and increasing criticism of the monarchy. According to a survey by YouGov released around the time of the coronation, 64% of Britons responded that they "do not care about the coronation."
Graham Smith, head of the UK republican group Republic, which advocates for the abolition of the monarchy, stated, "If you include the budgets spent by fire and transportation authorities and local councils beyond the government-announced costs, the expenditure would be even greater," estimating that "at least ?100 million (approximately 176 billion KRW) and up to ?250 million (approximately 440 billion KRW) may have been spent." He criticized, "There is no constitutional or legal obligation in the UK to hold the king's coronation (with tax money)," and called it "a parade that cost a huge budget due to King Charles III's stubbornness." He also emphasized, "It is outrageous that the king spent over ?70 million when child poverty is so severe that children cannot afford lunch and the economy is struggling."
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