The ruling and opposition parties on the 9th proceeded with a review of the supplementary budget bill to respond to the Middle East crisis at the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts subcommittee for adjustments, and clashed over the appropriateness of a "high oil price damage relief payment" program for the bottom 70% by income.
An Do-geol of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "With gasoline and diesel prices rising sharply, providing 200,000–300,000 won for five to six months is temporary but essential support," stressing the need to limit support to the bottom 70% by income.
By contrast, Park Hyeong-su of the People Power Party, the opposition secretary of the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, said, "We are not saying to cut the entire amount, but we should support only the groups where the damage is concentrated," adding, "With local elections ahead, there could be controversy over vote buying, so targeted support is needed."
Kim Dae-sik of the same party also said, "Targeting the bottom 70% by income puts a heavier burden on regions with a higher share of vulnerable groups," adding that it is necessary to consider plans to expand central government subsidies in light of local governments' fiscal capacity.
Due to these differences, the high oil price damage relief payment program was put on hold for now.
Meanwhile, the meeting also discussed the "China-origin Korea charter flight-linked tour packages" program. As criticism mounted from the People Power Party, Democratic Party Jin Seong-jun, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, proposed, "Do not limit it to the Chinese-speaking region; expand it into a program to attract global group tourists regardless of country," and the government accepted the proposal.
Cho Jeong-hun and Park Hyeong-su of the People Power Party also said, "If the program is well designed, we will discuss it."
The ruling and opposition parties plan to produce a revised bill through the supplementary budget subcommittee review by the 10th and put it to a vote at the plenary session the same day. In addition, the floor leaderships plan a 3+3 meeting on the morning of the day for final coordination.