Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, once again urged for the swift preparation of a supplementary budget (추가경정예산) to immediately revive the frozen consumer expenditure, stating, “Everyone is talking about it, so prepare it quickly.”
During a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, he said, “This is not the time to hesitate about the supplementary budget. It’s not the time to attach conditions and act leisurely.” He pointed out the difficult domestic economic situation, adding, “Even if our government is transitional, it seems too indifferent.”
Lee criticized acting President Choi Sang-mok for acknowledging the deepening slump in domestic demand but not following it up with action. He noted that during practical consultations, conditions were continually being attached to the supplementary budget.
He further criticized the government, questioning why they were attaching conditions when the opposition was proposing a supplementary budget to aid public welfare. He found it hard to understand the ruling party, People Power Party, for criticizing the Democratic Party of Korea for cutting public welfare budgets and then questioning why they proposed a supplementary budget for it. Lee urged for a quick supplementary budget to remedy if the Democratic Party had cut the budget, questioning what “public welfare budget” was cut since special activity expenses and reserve funds weren’t related to public welfare.
Lee intensified his criticism of the ruling party, doubting whether People Power Party was fulfilling its role as the ruling party, as it appeared to be obstructing the opposition’s efforts. He described their actions as those of a “San-dang” (mountain party), which appears occasionally to trouble people, likening them to those causing trouble from the mountains.
He reiterated his proposal to establish a special trade committee at the National Assembly level to address severe international trade issues, opposing the reasons given by People Power Party. He emphasized the need for political forces to demonstrate their will to address the current national crisis and urged the formation of a special committee to respond to the international trade crisis.
At the meeting, Lee also criticized those associated with Yoon Seok-youl, who were allegedly attempting to trivialize the trial phase of the riot and the pro-coup incidents, urging that such political actions should not be taken lightly.