Kwon Seongdong: "Supplementary Budget Should Exceed 10 Trillion Won... Passing It in April Is Top Priority"

"Supplementary Budget Items With Bipartisan Agreement Should Be Passed First"

Kwon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on April 8 that the government should further increase the proposed 10 trillion won supplementary budget (extra budget) announced in response to the tariff war.

At the party's policy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Kwon said, "Our economy, which relies on exports, is now at the edge of a cliff," adding, "I hope the government will reconsider the existing plan for a 10 trillion won supplementary budget, significantly expand support for export companies, and boldly increase the budget to stimulate domestic demand in order to proactively respond to the economic downturn."

Kwon Seongdong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on April 8, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He continued, "First, we should pass the supplementary budget items that have bipartisan agreement, and postpone discussions on contentious issues for later," adding, "Our top priority is to ensure the supplementary budget passes within this month."

Kwon also emphasized, "When Taiwan was hit with a 32% high tariff by the United States, it immediately prepared a 12 trillion won support package to ease the interest burden on export companies and provide new funding. We should not hesitate any longer either."

Addressing the Democratic Party of Korea, he said, "At least regarding the supplementary budget, it should be handled with a focus solely on the livelihoods of the people and the national interest, not on personal ambitions or party interests," and urged, "Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party itself, who have repeatedly called for a supplementary budget since unilaterally cutting the budget at the end of last year, must now take responsibility for their words."

He further criticized, "The Democratic Party is persistently demanding a supplementary budget that includes a 250,000 won cash handout to all citizens, showing that they intend to use the extra budget as a political tool," and added, "They have no regard for the livelihoods of the people or the economic crisis."