Opposition to the ruling party's livelihood supplementary budget agreement - Floor leader Kim Byung-ki is angry.

Why is it so difficult to have a supplementary budget for livelihoods?

The livelihood supplementary budget is once again at risk of being stranded. The promise to stop political strife and unite for the people has become an empty echo, and as a result, the lives of the citizens remain mired in suffering. At the center of this situation is the fact that the processing of the livelihood supplementary budget, which was agreed upon by the ruling and opposition parties, may be derailed due to the People's Power Party's breach of promise. Some question the essence of politics. While claiming to be for the people, a fundamental question arises as to why there is such reluctance before a budget meant for the citizens. Politics is said to be the art of compromise. However, compromise only has meaning when it is based on sincerity. That sincerity is revealed not in words, but in actions. The People's Power Party repeatedly reversed its promises during this supplementary budget review process, wasting even the time meant for the citizens. One cannot help but doubt whether there was any willingness to cooperate from the start. The livelihood supplementary budget is not just a simple budget item it is a lifeline for those who are currently suffering. The moment this supplementary budget is derailed, countless small business owners and vulnerable groups will be faced with the stark reality of survival. Nevertheless, the People's Power Party is caught up in strategic calculations and is ignoring the urgent policy tool that the supplementary budget represents. Consequently, the anger of various figures, including Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-ki, stems from a desperate awareness of reality rather than a political performance. Lawmaker Kim is furious. He is enraged by the realization that the statements declaring the citizens come first are merely words, and by the fact that politics has once again turned its back on the people.

Recurring delay tactics and broken promises of the People Power Party

1. Delay in Appointing the Chairman of the Budget Committee To review the supplementary budget proposal, it is essential to activate the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. A crucial step in this process is the appointment of the committee's chairman. However, the People Power Party has hindered this initial step. They used the distribution of other committee chair positions, such as the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, as an excuse to refuse cooperation in selecting the committee chairman. This resembles political bargaining with people's livelihoods at stake rather than a political discussion about the fair distribution of power among parties. If the Budget Committee is not activated promptly, it will be impossible to review the supplementary budget. Despite knowing this very well, the People Power Party chose to intentionally delay proceedings. This is ultimately an act that ignores the suffering of the people and is a typical example of outdated politics that is more obsessed with power dynamics than with public welfare. 2. Disruption of Meetings: From One Day to Two Days, Another Excuse Once the committee chairman was finally appointed and the review began, the People Power Party raised issues about the meeting schedule. They suddenly demanded that the comprehensive policy inquiry, which was originally supposed to be held in one day, should be extended to two days, causing disruption to the meeting. They also promised that if the inquiry was guaranteed for two days, they would process the supplementary budget with bipartisan agreement. The Democratic Party accepted the demands of the People Power Party. They deemed it inappropriate to consider political gains in the face of the people's suffering. Therefore, they extended the schedule from one day to two days, allowing for additional discussion time. This concession was made from a perspective of major reconciliation and symbolized the Democratic Party's intention to prioritize the people over party interests. But what was the outcome? The People Power Party did not even uphold this agreement. Ultimately, the Democratic Party's concession went in vain, and the People Power Party broke their promise once again. 3. Betrayal at Dawn: 1:30 AM, Turning Away from Agreement The agreement on the supplementary budget ultimately collapsed around 1:30 AM on July 4. Despite various efforts to reach a final agreement during a late-night meeting, the People Power Party ultimately rejected the consensus. The meeting had already been extended by a day, and significant coordination on key issues between the two parties had been made, yet the People Power Party retreated, claiming that "the conditions had not been met." This was a moment where they chose political strife over public welfare. At that moment, when the public looked to the National Assembly hoping, "Please let this be handled on time," the political arena once again disappointed them. Representative Kim Byung-ki criticized this, stating, "This is not a failure of negotiation but a breach of promise."

When politics takes the people's livelihood as a hostage

Politics is a means for the people. The conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties, along with the distribution of chairmanships, are merely preconditions for effectively promoting policies in favor of the public. However, the current reality is the exact opposite. The People Power Party is using the supplementary budget as a hostage for political struggles, and in the process, the public is being thoroughly sidelined. At this very moment, self-employed individuals are contemplating closure, young people are wandering without finding jobs, and vulnerable groups are being hit hard by rising prices. For these individuals, the supplementary budget is not merely a financial execution but a measure that allows them to 'survive right now.' As that golden time is rapidly disappearing, what is politics doing? Representative Kim Byung-ki stated, 'Time is life.' That statement is not an exaggeration. If the budget is executed even a single day or hour earlier, it can provide a breath of life to the public. Yet, the People Power Party is calculating the pros and cons of political strife, weaponizing delays of two or three days. At this point, it is not an exaggeration to say that the essential function of politics has been completely collapsed.

It is now time for decision.

Representative Kim Byeong-ki has made a clear statement. His declaration that "we will definitely pass the supplementary budget in today's plenary session" is not just a simple will, but a promise to fulfill political responsibility. He spoke these words out of a sense of urgency, stating that the people can no longer wait. The Democratic Party has already made significant concessions. They endured the unprecedented measure of two days of questioning and responded flexibly at every stage of negotiations. However, the People Power Party has only utilized that entire process as a political tool. Now, a decision is needed. If the People Power Party still genuinely cares about the livelihoods of the people, they must return now. There is still time until the afternoon plenary session. It is a time to seize the last opportunity. Politics should be judged not by words, but by actions. To become a party that can stand proudly before the people, the People Power Party must make a decision now. Representative Kim Byeong-ki's anger is justified. It is not just the emotion of a member of parliament, but a cry on behalf of the people. Livelihoods do not wait. Politics must not become an obstacle to the people's welfare. The Democratic Party will definitely pass the supplementary budget today. We will not abandon the path for the people in front of any obstacles. Representative Kim Byeong-ki's anger is a legitimate rage against the trampling of the people's expectations and, at the same time, a strong warning that politics must return to its original role.