PPP: No Apology from Democratic Party for Restoring Presidential Special Activity Budget... "Shameless Double Standards"

Song Eonseok: "Supplementary Budget Negotiations Suspended... Apologies for Failing to Show Bipartisanship"
Conflict Intensifies Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Special Activity Budget
Requests for Inclusion of Livelihood-Related Budget Items Not Accepted

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, announced on July 4 that his party would not participate in the passage of the supplementary budget bill. The breakdown in negotiations was attributed to two main reasons: the Democratic Party's refusal to apologize for reinstating the presidential special activity budget, and the exclusion of the People Power Party's livelihood-related budget proposals from the supplementary budget.

At the Floor Strategy Meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Song introduced the progress of the supplementary budget negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties. He stated, "Regrettably, I apologize that the National Assembly could not demonstrate the spirit of cooperation that the people desire," and added, "The Democratic Party's arrogant unilateral push for the supplementary budget, which greatly affects people's livelihoods, and the dictatorial attitude of the Lee Jaemyung administration have been clearly witnessed by the public."

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Floor Strategy Meeting held at the National Assembly on July 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He explained, "There were negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties late into the night yesterday to process the supplementary budget bill," and continued, "I spoke with and met with Democratic Party leader Kim Byungki, and continued negotiations until late in order to process the supplementary budget, which is extremely important for people's livelihoods." He went on to say, "The People Power Party proposed that the government increase the nationwide consumption coupons by 12 trillion won, and within the National Assembly, the Democratic Party also demanded some additional items." He detailed, "The People Power Party requested the government and the Democratic Party to increase veterans' allowances for elderly individuals who may pass away soon, increase funding for the Youth Leap Account, allocate additional resources for employment stability for ultra-short-term workers in poor working conditions, provide cost compensation measures for small business owners, add funding for sinkhole and water and sewage system improvements for safety, and expand local city gas supply." However, he stated, "Negotiations did not proceed properly, and the government had no intention of accepting the projects requested by our party."

He also emphasized that the presidential office's special activity budget was a contentious issue. He said, "On November 29 last year, at the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the Democratic Party unilaterally passed the government budget bill by only discussing reductions, without considering any increases." He continued, "At that time, they argued that the absence of a special activity budget would not paralyze state affairs, and that it was absurd to claim that work could not be done without it, and so they unilaterally reduced the budget." He added, "However, after the change of administration, now that they are in power, they suddenly claim that work cannot be done without the special activity budget and seem intent on restoring it. This is shameless and a clear case of double standards." Song further remarked, "When they were the opposition, they said the special activity budget was unnecessary, but now that they are in power, they claim it is essential. This is a textbook example of double standards."

The People Power Party demanded an apology from the Democratic Party regarding this issue, but explained that the Democratic Party refused. He said, "Many media outlets reported that a public apology was needed for the unilateral reduction of the special activity budget, and the People Power Party also called for an apology." He continued, "We said that if an apology was made, we would consider continuing negotiations toward an agreement, but when the special activity budget issue arose, negotiations were suspended and the Democratic Party refused to continue discussions."