Lee Jae-myung, the representative of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party, saying, "They are telling bizarre lies," as the controversy continues over the Democratic Party's cut of disaster emergency funds, which is causing difficulties in responding to large-scale wildfires in the Gyeongbuk area. He urged that the available resources for national disasters amount to 3.56 trillion won and called for immediate disbursement.
On the morning of the 31st, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party tent headquarters in Gwanghwamun, Lee stated, "The total emergency reserve related to wildfires that can be immediately executed is 3.56 trillion won. Why aren't we using this?"
Lee referred to the government's supplementary budget amounting to 10 trillion won, stating, "It's fortunate, but it's too little and the content is very weak," adding, "What is even more absurd is that they suggest skipping the National Assembly review due to the urgency of the matter. In this situation, how can we think of ways to exercise national fiscal authority without going through the National Assembly?"
He criticized the government and the ruling party for using the disaster emergency funds as an excuse to push for the supplementary budget. Lee is of the view that the emergency reserves for supporting wildfire damage are sufficient, including 100 billion won from the Korea Forest Service, 360 billion won from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, 1.6 trillion won from the national disaster emergency fund, and 1.5 trillion won from national treasury liabilities.
Lee stated, "Do you want to toy with the people who have lost their families, burned their entire possessions, and lost the foundation of their lives with bizarre lies that there is no disaster response budget because you cut the emergency funds?" He added, "People look like humans, but their heart is an animal. That is referred to as 'imyeonsushin.'"
He then said, "Is it possible for the People Power Party, responsible for the country’s finances, to act like this? Can't you hear the sounds of the suffering people?" He continued, "Is your only thought how to gain power? That shouldn't be the case."
Lee also emphasized that he would hold interim Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Economic Minister Choi Sang-mok accountable for not appointing Constitutional Court nominee Ma Eun-hyeok. He urged the Constitutional Court to expedite the decision on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial.
Lee stated, "The current chaos in South Korea began with former acting Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and current acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo," adding, "(Acting Prime Minister Choi and Prime Minister Han) are not just challenging the Constitution, but are violating it, completely destroying the constitutional order, and causing anxiety among the people."
He added, "This is something that should not happen and must not be forgiven. We must hold them accountable for this," stating, "The Constitutional Court should exercise the powers granted by the Constitution that it can do in this situation."