President Lee Urges Bipartisan Cooperation on Budget, Calls for Bold Adoption of Opposition Proposals

President Lee Presides Over Senior Secretary Meeting on the 27th
"Timely Passage of Budget Bill Is Crucial for Accelerating Livelihood Recovery"

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Senior Secretary Meeting held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 27th, President Lee Jae-myung instructed, "If there are reasonable grounds for the opposition's demands during the budget review, adopt them boldly."

Presiding over the Senior Secretary Meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan that afternoon, President Lee stated, "I urge bipartisan cooperation to ensure that next year's budget bill is processed within the statutory deadline." Currently, the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts is reviewing the budget bill for the coming year. The legal deadline for passing the budget bill is December 2.

President Lee emphasized, "Major international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have highly evaluated our government's proactive fiscal management. Some institutions have also significantly raised their growth forecasts for next year," adding, "It is especially important for the budget to pass on time to accelerate the recovery of the people's livelihoods and support Korea's great leap forward next year."

He continued, "If the opposition makes necessary demands, as long as they do not pose a problem, accepting them could be a good approach," and added, "Upon closer examination, there may be reasonable arguments on their side as well."

President Lee Shares Reflections on Overseas Trip: "Let Us Minimize Wasting Our Capabilities"

This meeting was the first since President Lee's tour of four countries in the Middle East and Africa. Sharing his reflections, President Lee said, "I am once again reminded of the importance of strengthening national power," and explained, "The source of all strength is the unity of our people."

He went on to say, "Even if we have many disagreements, I hope we can engage in healthy competition and strive to become better. I also hope we can minimize unnecessary waste of our own capabilities."

President Lee further stated, "I can feel that the stature and scope of our diplomacy have been elevated," and instructed, "Each ministry should promptly establish and implement comprehensive measures to materialize and solidify the diplomatic achievements of the past six months."

Meanwhile, President Lee said, "As winter sets in, the health and safety of vulnerable groups will inevitably be at risk," and added, "We must proactively identify households at risk of welfare crises during the winter and thoroughly prepare tailored support systems."