Divided opinions on supplementary budget at National Assembly

Lawmakers across the aisle are poles apart over details of a supplementary budget ahead of a crucial meeting tomorrow.

Our correspondent Lee Shi-hoo covers the contention.

On Wednesday, the day before the much-anticipated first meeting of the joint consultative body between the government and bipartisan leaders at the National Assembly, the main opposition Democratic Party continued to urge prompt processing of the supplementary budget.

Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung, who has insisted on a nationwide spending voucher for all citizens to revive the economy, even hinted that he was willing to forgo such an objective, if it leads to the approval of the budget.

"If the 'consumption voucher' is absolutely impossible and they just really can't do it, why not spend money on job creation and support for business start-ups? I hope we can discuss this together at the joint talks on state affairs."

The DP has proposed an additional budget of 35 trillion Korean won, or roughly 24.3 billion U.S. dollars.

While the ruling People Power Party agrees with the need for additional financing to boost the economy, it argues the DP must first restore the money it cut in the first place.

The PPP insists on what it calls a "tweezers" budget that would selectively support the most crucial areas in need.

This way, the party says, they can assure fiscal soundness.

"The PPP's rule for the supplementary budget is to "spend on the most urgent areas" somewhat like picking them out with a pair of tweezers. Our first priorities are measures for the self-employed and small business owners who are directly affected by the stagnant economy."

Kweon said the ruling party is open to negotiations as long as the main opposition apologizes first on cutting "key budgets for the next generation."

Meanwhile, the joint talks between the government and the Assembly, slated for Thursday, were originally scheduled for earlier this month but were postponed due to disagreements on the specifics of the agenda.

At the upcoming meeting, Acting President Choi Sang-mok, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, 그리고 the leaders from the rival parties are expected to discuss not only the budget, but other key pending issues, such as measures to support the domestic semiconductor industry and improve the national pension system.

Lee Shi-hoo, Arirang News.