'Mention of Supplementary Budget Necessity' Lee Jae-myung Faces "Apology First for Passing Cut Budget Proposal"
Kwon Seong-dong: "Lee Jae-myung, Main Cause of Trial Delay... Yoon Impeachment Is Not a Permit for Presidential Run"
Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 16th, saying, "I hope he does not fall into the presidential play as if he is already the president."
At the People Power Party’s parliamentary meeting held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Acting Leader Kwon said, "I would like to say a few words regarding Lee’s various acts of overstepping his authority following the passage of the impeachment motion."
Regarding Lee’s declaration that he would not impeach Han Duck-soo, Acting Prime Minister, and his statement that Han’s main task is to maintain the status quo, Kwon questioned, "What is maintaining the status quo, and what is changing it?" He added, "Lee mentioned that an additional supplementary budget (추경) is necessary. Is the supplementary budget maintaining the status quo or changing it? Who sets the standard for whether it is maintaining or changing the status quo?"
This is interpreted as a criticism of the Democratic Party-led passage of the 2025 budget, which was cut by 4.1 trillion won compared to this year, and then mentioning the need for a supplementary budget. Before the parliamentary meeting, Kwon met with Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and expressed opposition, saying, "Whether it is March or June next year, it is not too late to discuss adjustments when necessary," and "Isn't this like giving a disease and then medicine? The government budget is not Lee Jae-myung’s pocket marbles." At that meeting, he also pointed out, "The Democratic Party must first apologize and reflect on the unilateral passage of the reduced budget," and "Especially, an apology to the vulnerable groups and ordinary citizens who will suffer damage due to the budget cuts is essential."
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Regarding major Democratic Party figures boldly stating that "Han Duck-soo, Acting Prime Minister, can be impeached if he exercises the right to request reconsideration (veto power)," Kwon claimed, "The Democratic Party intends to restrict Han Duck-soo’s authority according to party interests." Acting Leader Kwon continued, "In the past, during the impeachment phase of former President Roh Moo-hyun, Acting Prime Minister Go Gun exercised veto power. During the impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye, Acting Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn appointed constitutional court justices," and emphasized, "Both veto power and appointment power are part of the president’s authority. You cannot selectively exercise only some of these powers. Do not arbitrarily interpret the scope of authority of the acting prime minister."
Regarding Lee’s request to the Constitutional Court to expedite the impeachment trial of President Yoon, Kwon said, "Lee has used all sorts of tricks to delay his own trial process. He deliberately did not appoint a lawyer and avoided receiving the notice of lawsuit record acceptance, intentionally delaying the trial process," and criticized, "Everyone knows that what Lee wants is to hold the presidential election before his guilty verdict and become president." He added, "But impeachment is impeachment, and Lee’s trial is a trial," emphasizing, "President Yoon’s impeachment cannot cover Lee’s crimes nor serve as Lee Jae-myung’s permit to run for president."
He also urged Acting Prime Minister Han, saying, "As acting prime minister, I hope you exercise your authority confidently within the principles set by the constitution and laws for the country and the people," and "I clearly say that you must never succumb to the Democratic Party’s threats."
However, he expressed a welcoming stance regarding Lee’s mention of the need to appoint a new Minister of National Defense following the resignation of former Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Kwon said, "To calm the military unrest, the appointment of the Minister of National Defense must be made promptly. Also, the appointment of the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, who is responsible for public security, is urgent," and added, "To resolve national confusion and restore the daily lives of the people, security and public order must be strengthened first."
He also urged that the internal conflict triggered by the passage of the impeachment motion must stop. Kwon said, "The party leadership has resigned en masse. Now, we must proceed with party recovery by forming an emergency response committee," and "I will do my best to prevent internal confusion and ensure swift decision-making. I ask the lawmakers to present constructive alternatives for recovery rather than divisive opinions at today’s parliamentary meeting."
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
