The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for demanding an increase in the presidential office's special operation expenses during the review of the second supplementary budget. They also called for an apology related to the full cut of the Yoon Suk-yeol government's presidential office special operation expenses during last year's budget review.
Song Eon-seok, chairperson and floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on 4th, "When they were the opposition party, they claimed that the presidential office's special operation expenses were unnecessary, but now that they are in power, they are insisting that these expenses are essential. This is a typical double standard."
He added, "This is an extremely shameless and hypocritical statement," and noted, "They should apologize regarding the cut in special operation expenses. If they do, we can consider continuing negotiations to reach an agreement, but the issue of special operation expenses has led to a halt in negotiations, and the Democratic Party has refused any further discussions."
The chairperson also expressed, "I feel sorry that we could not show the form of cooperation that the people wish for at the National Assembly," while emphasizing, "The arrogant behavior of the Democratic Party, which is unilaterally pushing forward with the supplementary budget that significantly impacts people's lives, using their numerical advantage, and the dictatorial style of the Lee Jae-myung administration, is something that the people have clearly witnessed this time."
Jo Seung-rae, a Democratic Party lawmaker from the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, requested an increase of 9.177 billion won in the presidential office's special operation expenses budget during the review of the second supplementary budget. Special operation expenses refer to costs incurred for confidential special activities or national affairs. Jo stated, "These expenses are necessary for the smooth operation of national governance, as they directly relate to activities requiring high security," while proposing an increase in the presidential office's special operation expenses.
The Democratic Party cut 8.251 billion won from the presidential office's special operation expenses during the review of last year's budget. At that time, the Democratic Party argued that it was "a drastic measure to normalize the country's finances," stating, "Cutting the presidential office's special operation expenses does not paralyze governance, and reducing the investigative expenses does not harm the people."