Kwon Youngse: "Choi Should Appoint Ministers of Defense and Interior... Early Budget Execution Over Supplementary Budget"

Meeting Choi Sangmok at the National Assembly on the 13th
"Security and Safety Are the Foundation of National Stability"
Will Persuade the Opposition on the Special Act on Semiconductors and Other Key Bills

On January 13, Kwon Youngse, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the People Power Party, met with Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, and requested that the appointments for the Ministers of National Defense and Interior and Safety be expedited. He also urged the government to strongly persuade the opposition party so that livelihood-related bills, including the Special Act on Semiconductors, could be passed swiftly. Regarding the supplementary budget requested by the Democratic Party of Korea, he drew a clear line, stating that the early execution of the existing budget should take priority.

Chairman Kwon, meeting Acting President Choi at the main building of the National Assembly that day, said, "The government and the ruling party must not neglect even the slightest part of their respective duties," emphasizing his position.

Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister兼Minister of Strategy and Finance, shakes hands with Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on January 13, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairman Kwon stated, "The foundation of national stability is security and safety. The prolonged vacancies in the security and safety sectors are directly affecting the people," and urged the prompt appointment of the Ministers of National Defense and Interior and Safety, whose positions remain vacant.

When Acting President Choi, at the meeting, called for the swift passage of bills pending in the National Assembly-including the Special Act on the Semiconductor Industry, the National Backbone Power Grid Expansion Act, the Special Act on High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities, Offshore Wind Power Act, and the Restriction of Special Taxation Act-Chairman Kwon responded, "The ruling party also believes that laws related to future growth industries should be passed as soon as possible." However, he added, "There are still significant differences between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the Special Act on Semiconductors." He further stated, "As for the other bills, such as the Restriction of Special Taxation Act and the Offshore Wind Power Act, we will do our utmost to ensure their prompt passage."

Chairman Kwon clarified that now is not the time to discuss a supplementary budget. He explained, "Out of the approximately 670 trillion won budget, about 170 trillion won is typically spent in the first quarter. If we achieve 40% execution in the first quarter through early implementation, about 270 trillion won will be spent, which means more than 100 trillion won in additional funds will be injected." He continued, "This amount is far greater than the 20 trillion won supplementary budget proposed by the Democratic Party and can do much more to boost domestic demand and improve the economy." He also said, "The opposition is talking about a supplementary budget, but it is incomprehensible why they unilaterally passed only the budget cuts last year," stressing, "From the government's perspective, the focus is fundamentally on the early execution of the existing budget."

Chairman Kwon also conveyed to Acting President Choi his concerns that a clash could occur between the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the Presidential Security Service as the CIO executes an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. Chairman Kwon said, "While the National Assembly should also make efforts to mediate, it is essential for you, Acting President Choi, to request that all relevant agencies refrain from excessive actions."