Lee Jae Myung: "PPP Only Talks About Supplementary Budget, Shows No Willingness to Negotiate"

"Will Restoring Special Activity Funds Revive the Economy?"

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the People Power Party on the 14th, saying, "They talk about passing an extra budget (supplementary budget), but when it comes to concrete negotiations, it seems they have no intention of actually doing it."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee stated, "We need to discuss the supplementary budget swiftly at the first government-policy council meeting scheduled for the 20th." He added, "The People Power Party is being stubborn in an unreasonable way. Instead of focusing on managing the country's finances, they are more concerned with harassing the opposition."

He continued, "I have heard that they are making the restoration of budget items cut at the end of last year a condition. Most of the budget items that were cut at the end of last year were special business expenses, special activity funds, and reserve funds," and questioned, "Will increasing these items really revive the people's livelihoods and restore the economy?"

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. 2025.2.14 Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Lee raised his voice, saying, "I cannot understand who benefits from refusing the supplementary budget, worsening the national economy, and delaying and deteriorating the people's livelihoods. Frankly, it seems like they are trying to ruin the country."

He also said, "With the domestic market in recession, a high exchange rate, and even the Trump-triggered trade war, the economy is stagnating while perceived prices are soaring. This so-called 'screwflation' is becoming a reality."

Previously, the Democratic Party proposed a supplementary budget of 35 trillion won to the government and the ruling party the day before. The proposal includes a plan to distribute 250,000 won in local currency to every citizen and to invest in public housing and social overhead capital (SOC).