Ruling Party: "Would You Spend Like This If It Were Your Own Money?" vs Opposition: "Feels Like They Want to Ruin the Country"... Fierce Clash Over Extra Budget

Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over 35 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget Proposal
Kwon Sungdong Criticizes Focus on Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons
Lee Jaemyung: "No Real Intention for Supplementary Budget in Negotiations"

The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the formulation of a supplementary budget (extra budget). The People Power Party criticized the 35 trillion won supplementary budget proposed by the Democratic Party of Korea, stating, "We do not engage in such reckless bargaining." The Democratic Party, pointing to the ruling party's opposition, retorted, "It feels as if they want to ruin the country."

Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on February 14, "Yesterday, the Democratic Party announced its own supplementary budget plan worth 35 trillion won. In December last year, they arbitrarily cut the budget and pushed it through unilaterally, and not long after, they were talking about a 30 trillion won extra budget. Now, that amount has increased by 5 trillion won to 35 trillion won," he criticized.

Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on February 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In particular, regarding the "Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons" worth 13.1 trillion won, he said, "Two weeks ago, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung said he would give up on livelihood support payments, but now he has simply changed the name and brought it back as 'consumption coupons.' In the end, they are proposing a 'relabeling supplementary budget,'" he criticized.

Floor leader Kwon further argued that the Democratic Party's supplementary budget would result in "the indiscriminate issuance of local gift certificates, which has minimal effect on boosting consumption and places a heavy burden on the national finances," calling it "an irresponsible political move akin to taking food away from one's own children." He added, "If this enormous budget were Lee Jae Myung's personal money, would he spend it so recklessly?"

He emphasized that "the supplementary budget cannot be decided unilaterally by the Democratic Party," and insisted, "A consultative body involving the ruling party, the opposition, and the government must be activated first to gather opinions. The direction and scale of the supplementary budget must simultaneously consider real improvements in people's livelihoods, revitalizing the economy, and the burden on national finances."

The Democratic Party also pushed back against the ruling party's criticism. Party leader Lee Jae Myung stated, "The Democratic Party's supplementary budget plan allocates 23.5 trillion won for livelihood recovery and 11.2 trillion won for economic growth. The first meeting of the National Policy Council will be held on the 20th, and speed is of the essence. Discussions must proceed quickly." However, regarding the ruling party's criticism of the Democratic Party's supplementary budget, he said, "They only talk about wanting a supplementary budget, but when it comes to concrete negotiations, they show no intention of actually doing it."

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on February 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Lee also addressed the People Power Party's call to restore the budget cuts made during last year's parliamentary process, saying, "Does increasing special activity funds, special expenses, and contingency funds revive the people's economy and bring about recovery? They are being stubborn in a strange way." He continued, "I cannot understand who benefits from not implementing a supplementary budget, worsening the national economy, and delaying economic recovery. Frankly, it feels like they want to ruin the country," he criticized.

Jin Sungjoon, policy committee chair of the Democratic Party, also issued a statement refuting the ruling party's arguments regarding the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons. Jin said, "Has the ruling party's opposition to the supplementary budget really been because of the livelihood recovery support payments? Didn't the government and the People Power Party say they would focus on the early execution of the main budget and then decide on a supplementary budget after reviewing the first quarter's economic situation? If the Democratic Party gives up only the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons, can a supplementary budget be passed immediately?" He further noted, "The authority to formulate a supplementary budget lies with the government. The Democratic Party proposed the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons based on the judgment that direct support is necessary to stimulate domestic demand. Ultimately, it is up to the government to accept or reject it."

He also criticized the ruling party for opposing the opposition's proposals. Jin said, "Before unconditionally rejecting the Democratic Party's proposals to boost domestic demand, shouldn't the ruling party present better alternatives? As previously stated, if direct support for livelihood recovery is truly the reason a supplementary budget cannot be passed, the Democratic Party is willing to set it aside. We urge the ruling party to abandon its obstinacy and engage in discussions on formulating a supplementary budget."