Sangmin Lee: "Police Bureau Security 'Fully Cut', Hindering Essential National Functions"

Government Briefing on the Ruling Party's Solo Approval of the Budget Bill
"Cutting Security Special Activity Funds Makes Crime Response More Difficult"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min expressed concern that the opposition party's unilateral passage of a budget bill that cut the basic expenses of the Police Bureau and other budgets is "undermining the essential functions of the state."

On the morning of the 2nd, Minister Lee stated at a joint government briefing at the Government Seoul Office, "I cannot help but express deep concern and regret regarding the next year's budget bill, which is being processed unilaterally by the opposition party."

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is announcing the government's position, including issues with the opposition party's unilateral budget reduction proposal, on the 2nd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Earlier, the Democratic Party of Korea cut the Police Bureau's basic expenses and the National Police Agency's special activity expenses from the National Assembly standing committee's budget review, while increasing the budget for 'local love gift certificates' by 2 trillion won. Subsequently, at the Budget and Accounts Committee, the Democratic Party reflected the reduction plan that did not require government consent and passed it unilaterally on the 29th of last month. The special activity expenses for the police were cut entirely by 3.16 billion won, and the Police Bureau's basic expenses were cut entirely by 107 million won.

The opposition party cut the special activity expenses in full for the police, the Presidential Secretariat, the National Security Office, the prosecution, and the Board of Audit and Inspection. They argued that the special activity expenses of power institutions have been used like so-called "pocket money" and aimed to correct this. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, explained, "Cutting the Presidential Office's special activity expenses does not paralyze state affairs, nor does cutting the prosecution's special activity expenses harm the public," adding, "This is an extraordinary measure to normalize the country's mismanaged finances." The Democratic Party intends to submit the unilaterally passed reduction budget bill to the plenary session on the legal deadline day.

Minister Lee, who had expressed regret over the police-related budget cuts since the standing committee's budget review process, emphasized on this day, "The Police Bureau's basic expenses are the most fundamental budget necessary for operating the organization, including office supplies purchases, official travel expenses, and overtime meal expenses," adding, "Although the amount is small, it is difficult to recognize any reasonable grounds for cutting the entire basic operating expenses of the organization."

He also criticized the reduction of 245 million won from the National Police Agency's special activity expenses supporting public safety activities. Minister Lee said, "This budget cut, which is essential for preventing crimes such as drugs, digital sex crimes, and cyber gambling, raises concerns that our police will not be able to properly respond to crimes infringing on people's livelihoods and that there will be considerable difficulties in protecting public safety."

Minister Lee concluded, "I hope that a budget based on bipartisan agreement can be passed in the National Assembly once again to give hope to the people."