Ruling Party, Government, and Presidential Office Clarify "No Review" on Additional Message in Passports Amid Confusion

Presidential Office "No Discussions Held"

As confusion arose on the 22nd regarding the possibility of drafting a supplementary budget within the ruling camp, the government, the Presidential Office, and the People Power Party all officially drew a line, stating that they have not considered a supplementary budget at this point.

On that day, a media outlet reported, citing a senior official from the Presidential Office, that the government might consider drafting a supplementary budget in early next year. Subsequently, another senior official from the Presidential Office told a different media outlet, "We do not exclude an active fiscal role, including drafting a supplementary budget," adding, "However, the timing for drafting the supplementary budget has not been set for early next year."

This sparked discussions in the political circles about the possibility of the government drafting a supplementary budget. Some interpreted this as a shift in the government's policy stance from emphasizing sound fiscal management to actively utilizing fiscal policy.

The government and the People Power Party immediately moved to manage the situation. The Ministry of Economy and Finance issued a press release stating, "The 2025 budget bill is currently under review by the National Assembly, and we are not considering drafting a supplementary budget for next year."

Kim Sang-hoon, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, also stated in a press release, "There has been no request for consultation on drafting a supplementary budget from the government, and the party and government are not considering drafting a supplementary budget in early next year as announced by the government."

During a briefing after the Party-Government Meeting on Livelihood Economy held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Chair Kim explained, "The position that fiscal measures should be considered together to resolve polarization was misunderstood as drafting a supplementary budget."

Representative Han Dong-hoon also told reporters after the meeting, "At this point, we are just before the budget bill is finalized," adding, "Discussing a supplementary budget at this stage would only cause confusion."

Subsequently, the Presidential Office also drew a line regarding the possibility of a supplementary budget. A Presidential Office official told reporters, "There has been no discussion, consideration, or decision regarding a supplementary budget."