National Assembly Clashes Over Supplementary Budget, Energy Measures

The National Assembly will hold a plenary session at 2 p.m. on the 6th to conduct a government question-and-answer session on economic affairs. On the second day of the session, ruling and opposition parties are expected to clash over the government’s supplementary budget bill of **26.2 trillion Korean won**, submitted to the Assembly under the pretext of responding to the Middle East war, and the government’s handling of the conflict.

Questioners will include six members from the Democratic Party of Korea and four from the People Power Party.

Earlier, on the 3rd, the People Power Party criticized the supplementary budget, stating it should focus on addressing high oil prices, stabilizing livelihoods, minimizing industrial damage, and securing supply chains. However, the party argued the government’s proposal includes projects aimed at “election-oriented cash dispersal.” Specifically, it claimed the “high oil price damage support fund”—which allocates **100,000 to 600,000 Korean won per person** to the bottom 70% of income earners—lacks a direct causal link to oil price impacts. The party also accused the government of inserting budgets for renewable energy support projects and independent film production subsidies.

In contrast, the Democratic Party announced plans to expand the supplementary budget by adding projects not included in the government’s proposal. These include increased refunds for users of the **’Everyone’s Card’**, a fixed-rate public transportation pass; support for charter bus operators; aid for fishermen; budgets to promote home solar power generator distribution; funding for villages building solar plants on idle land; subsidies for replacing outdated solar inverters; and budgets for electric vehicle supply projects. The party also pledged to boost support for small businesses and the cultural and sports sectors.

During the session, lawmakers are expected to question the government’s response to rising energy prices and supply chain instability caused by the prolonged Middle East war. Additional queries will likely address real estate policies, including tax reforms such as increased holding taxes and housing supply measures.