Acting President Han Delivers Policy Speech... Woo Wonsik Criticizes as "Contrary to the Constitution" (Comprehensive)

Han Emphasizes Importance of Crisis Response Timing
Urges Swift Passage of Supplementary Budget
People Power Party Protests Speaker Woo's Remarks

Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Acting President, is leaving the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, after delivering the policy speech on the first supplementary budget for 2025 on the morning of the 24th. 2025.04.24 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On April 24, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo delivered a policy speech in his capacity as acting president. During the session, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik offered sharp criticism, stating, "As has already been confirmed by the Constitutional Court's ruling, the idea that the powers of the president and the acting president are identical is contrary to the Constitution." This marks the first time in 46 years that an acting president has delivered a policy speech at the National Assembly since former President Choi Kyuha did so as acting president in November 1979.

Han stated, "When responding to a crisis, the timing of policy implementation is just as important as the content of the policy itself." He earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask the National Assembly to swiftly review and approve the supplementary budget bill submitted by the government so that this supplementary budget can serve as a strong support for the people and a valuable catalyst for the recovery and leap forward of our economy."

On April 21, the government submitted a supplementary budget bill totaling 12.2 trillion won to the National Assembly. The proposed supplementary budget includes 3.2 trillion won for disaster and emergency response, 4.4 trillion won for trade and artificial intelligence (AI) support, and 4.3 trillion won for stabilizing the livelihoods of the people. Han promised, "To ensure the rapid recovery of areas severely damaged by the massive and ultra-fast wildfires, we will triple the disaster response budget from the current 500 billion won to 1.5 trillion won."

Han also stated, "Just as we have overcome numerous crises together with one heart in the past, I believe that if we trust and cooperate with each other this time as well, we will be able to successfully resolve the daunting challenges before us."

On the 24th, after Acting President Han Ducksoo and Prime Minister's supplementary budget speech at the National Assembly plenary session, Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, spoke, and Kwon Seongdong, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, protested. 2025.4.24 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

During Han's policy speech, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea responded with determined silence. However, after Han finished his speech and Speaker Woo Wonsik began to speak, the main chamber became noisy. Speaker Woo pointed out, "Contrary to the government's promises, the actual performance of early government budget execution has been quite poor." He then criticized Han for not attending parliamentary interpellations and for proceeding with the nomination of Constitutional Court justices, saying, "I hope you will distinguish between what should and should not be done," and added, "As the prime minister who assisted a president who was removed from office, this is a time when you should feel an even greater sense of responsibility."

As Speaker Woo continued his remarks, Kwon Seongdong, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, and others approached the speaker's podium to protest, while Democratic Party lawmakers applauded Woo's comments. When Han was leaving the main National Assembly building, reporters asked if he intended to run for president, but Han left the National Assembly without saying a word.