Song Unseok Targets Ruling Party's "Runaway Actions"... Highlights Alternative Policies Like Zero-Base Budgeting

Song Unseok’s Negotiation Group Speech
Criticizes Government and Ruling Party for “Duplicitous Governance”
Mentions Dictatorship, Runaway, and Economy 8, 7, and 10 Times Respectively
Calls for Fundamental Reassessment of Fiscal Projects

On September 10, Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, delivered a speech as the representative of the negotiation group at the National Assembly, issuing a warning to the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party of Korea: "Stop the duplicitous governance that outwardly calls for cooperation while obsessively seeking to destroy the opposition." He criticized the ruling party's "runaway" behavior across all areas, including legislation, finance, and diplomacy, and focused on presenting alternative policy directions. Rather than frequently using words such as "dictatorship" (8 times) or "runaway" (7 times) to criticize the government and ruling party, he mentioned "economy" 10 times, pledging to protect the livelihoods of the people.

In the economic sector, he pointed to the expansionary fiscal stance and anti-business legislation as key problems. Regarding next year's national budget proposal, Song defined it as "a reckless and irresponsible runaway that could lead to the collapse of national finances." According to the budget plan announced by the government last month, total expenditures will reach 728 trillion won, an increase of 55 trillion won compared to this year. He also raised concerns about the forced passage of bills that have drawn strong opposition from the business community, such as the Yellow Envelope Law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and the second amendment to the Commercial Act. Song strongly criticized these as "guillotine laws for businesses" in Korea, saying, "These are self-destructive economic policies that kill investment, take away jobs from young people, and drive companies abroad."

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech as the representative of the negotiation group at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on September 10, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He highlighted the party's identity as a policy-oriented party by proposing alternatives for each issue he raised. To review the budget proposal, he suggested introducing a "zero-base budgeting system" that would reevaluate the budgetary needs of all government fiscal projects from scratch. As part of this, he proposed establishing a "Special Committee on Fiscal Reform" composed of both parties and the government within the National Assembly. He also put forward supplementary legislation to minimize the negative impact of the Yellow Envelope Law and the Commercial Act amendments. These include the "Fair Labor-Management Act," which would prohibit union occupation of workplaces, and amendments to the Commercial Act to provide management with defensive measures such as the right to issue poison pills. Song urged, "If the Democratic Party truly cares about the national economy, I hope they will actively cooperate in preparing follow-up measures."

Beyond economic issues, he also criticized the ruling party's governance in other areas, labeling it "one-party dictatorship." In particular, he focused on countering the Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae's repeated emphasis on "settling the issue of insurrection" during his negotiation group speech on September 9. Song said, "The ruling party leader habitually threatens and insults the opposition by talking about 'dissolution,'" and criticized, "By labeling the opposition as a 'party of insurrection,' a trademark tactic, they are trying to destroy the opposition and establish one-party dictatorship to annihilate conservatives." He called for the immediate halt of the stronger special prosecutor bill and the government reorganization plan (the four bills to dismantle the prosecution) currently being promoted by the Democratic Party. However, he agreed on the need for prosecutorial reform itself, proposing to reconvene discussions by forming a special judicial reform committee. Song emphasized, "The People Power Party also believes that prosecutorial reform prioritizing the protection of the socially vulnerable is necessary," and added, "The ruling and opposition parties should come together and engage in responsible discussions on prosecutorial reform."

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech as the representative of the negotiation group at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on September 10, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the South Korea-U.S. summit, he harshly criticized it as a "fruitless and empty summit," and stressed, "We must make every effort in follow-up negotiations to protect the national interest." On North Korea policy, Song said, "If President Lee's recently announced 'three-stage denuclearization theory' is based on recognizing North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, it is an extremely dangerous idea that could bring seismic changes to security on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "What is needed now is to strengthen a bold and practical deterrence against North Korea." To this end, he identified strengthening South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises and revising the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement as priorities.

During Song's speech, lawmakers from both parties engaged in heated confrontation, shouting at each other. When Song referred to the special prosecutor's investigation as "political violence," Democratic Party lawmakers jeered, shouting "Yoon Sukyeol, Kim Keonhee are responsible," while People Power Party lawmakers applauded in support. When he criticized the government for "debt-driven growth," Democratic Party members retorted, calling it a "people's livelihood budget," while People Power Party members shot back, "At least follow the basics." When Song pointed out the problems with Democratic Party-led bills such as the Yellow Envelope Law, Democratic Party lawmakers criticized him, saying, "Stop lying, study more."