Ruling, Opposition Parties Clash Over April 9th Deadline for Supplementary Budget

Ahead of the government's submission of the supplementary budget bill to the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties remain at odds over its processing timeline, continuing their dispute centered on 'April 9th'. The government is scheduled to submit the bill on March 31st.

The Democratic Party argues for swift processing, citing the economic emergency situation caused by the outbreak of the Middle East war. Democratic Party lawmaker Cheon Jun-ho told reporters after a 2+2 meeting between the parties on March 30th that he heard concerns that factories might halt operations next week during a visit to manufacturing sites, stating their goal is to pass the supplementary budget by April 9th. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized that they would process the bill at the fastest possible speed immediately after its submission to resolve the 'triple crisis' of high oil prices, high exchange rates, and high inflation stemming from the Middle East war's impact.

The People Power Party proposed April 16th for passage, advocating for sufficient deliberation periods and prioritizing interpellations of the government. People Power Party Floor Leader Song Eon-seok views the Democratic Party's claims as 'excuses' and stated that it would be appropriate to pass the bill by the 16th at the latest, after concluding interpellations from April 6th to 8th and proceeding through the Steering Committee. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk characterized this as 'cash handouts' and 'plundering politics' ahead of local elections.