Prime Minister Han Deok-su Chairs the 51st Cabinet Meeting
"Focus on Revitalizing Domestic Demand and Consumption, Resolving Polarization"
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged the National Assembly on the 3rd to process next year's budget bill, which has exceeded the legal deadline, saying, "I ask for bipartisan cooperation from the National Assembly." Regarding the opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, attempting to reduce next year's budget, he criticized it as "an act that ignores the people and their livelihoods," stating that they are trying to cut essential project budgets.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the morning of the 3rd at the Government Complex Sejong Cabinet Meeting Room. Photo by Yonhap News
Prime Minister Han made these remarks while presiding over the 51st Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day. He expressed concern, saying, "Next year's budget bill has not yet been processed, exceeding the legal deadline set by the Constitution," and added, "If the approval of the budget bill is delayed, the central government, local governments, and public institutions will inevitably face difficulties in preparing for project execution, and the damage will directly affect the people and the national economy."
Prime Minister Han emphasized, "The budget that the opposition party seeks to reduce is essential to mitigate the risks to our economy caused by external uncertainties and to strengthen industrial competitiveness in sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI)," and "if passed as is, projects aimed at recovering livelihoods and local economies, such as the Youth Leap Account and additional support for small business owners facing difficulties, cannot be properly implemented."
He continued sharply, "Cutting the contingency funds used to swiftly restore damage to the people in the event of large-scale disasters and emergencies, as well as the expenses necessary for investigations into various livelihood crimes such as deepfakes, drugs, and gambling, is an act that ignores the people and their livelihoods." At the same time, he requested, "I once again ask for bipartisan cooperation from the National Assembly so that next year's budget bill can be processed through agreement between the ruling and opposition parties as soon as possible."
Prime Minister Han mentioned the recent damage caused by record-breaking heavy snowfall, saying, "We will do our best for prompt damage recovery." He also noted, "Unprecedented weather anomalies such as droughts, heatwaves, and heavy snowfall have been occurring recently," and urged, "I ask for continuous inspection and improvement to ensure that the government's safety management system properly predicts and operates under such circumstances."
He further stressed, "The government must focus its policy capabilities on revitalizing domestic demand and consumption and resolving polarization." He also requested, "I hope each ministry will consider extraordinary measures to stimulate consumption through tax benefits and regulatory innovation by incorporating voices from the field," and added, "Please identify tasks that can be promoted through revisions of enforcement ordinances or guidelines even before legal amendments." He also instructed that plans to resolve polarization be included in next year's work plans.
Prime Minister Han said, "I want to emphasize once again the establishment of public service discipline," and mentioned, "Some public officials' inertia and misconduct can undermine trust in the public service and lower morale." Additionally, he said, "I hope Cabinet members will take an interest in and ensure the establishment of public service discipline and morale so that affiliated public officials can work with conviction and focus on their duties."
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