Rep. Song Eon-seok criticizes government's supplementary budget plan: ”National debt increases by 20 trillion won, debut show of populist government” (South Korea)

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the South Korean opposition party People Power Party, said on the 19th of this month that the second supplementary budget of 20.2 trillion won (about 2.1344 trillion yen) that was passed by the Cabinet Council was
Regarding the bill, he said, "Looking at the contents, I am concerned that the national debt will increase by another 20 trillion won, and that this is the beginning of populism," and added, "It is exactly the spectacular start of a populist government."
Immediately after receiving a report on the supplementary budget from the government that afternoon, Song told reporters at the National Assembly, "President Lee Jae-myung will be elected.
Just as we thought we had opened the door to a republic of special prosecutors, now it seems we have opened the door to a republic of populism. This is a very deplorable situation,” he said.
"A one-time supplementary budget will not revive the economy. It will only increase the national debt," he said, adding, "In light of the current severe economic situation, we need to provide support to vulnerable classes and to combat the COVID-19 virus."
"I want the government to focus on supporting the many self-employed who have been struggling with debt since the COVID-19 pandemic," Song said. Song called for a swift review of the supplementary budget bill that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea will submit to the National Assembly next week.
Regarding the current situation, he said, "It is natural that the government and ruling party want to proceed as quickly as they intend," but added, "I will represent the voice of the people and correct the mistakes of the government and ruling party.
"It is our responsibility as the opposition party to criticize and present appropriate amendments and counterproposals," he said. "Currently, there are industries where competitiveness has declined significantly in international relations.
"We should strengthen strategic investment in cutting-edge industries and other areas, and I believe that further investment in such areas would be a way to use the national budget more productively and efficiently," he said.
Song also asked for the DPJ's cooperation in negotiations regarding the posts of standing committee chairs, such as the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
When asked whether he had any plans to link the two companies, he avoided answering the question, saying, "It's too early to talk about whether they will be linked or not."
He will be speaking at the presidential residence on the 22nd of this month to discuss the relationship between President Lee Jae-myung and the ruling coalition government.
Regarding the luncheon held by the party leadership, he said, "Even though we are now in the opposition, we will fight when we need to, but we should cooperate for the people and the country and do what we need to do," and "I have no negative thoughts about it.
"We will meet and hold dialogue to convey our position. I hope that the Democratic Party and the president will be able to understand what the minority opposition party, which represents the voice of the people, has to say and how it will act.
"I urge you to be more open-minded and listen to what other people have to say," he added.