Chung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Wednesday that the party would process the supplementary budget "at the fastest possible speed," warning that the People Power Party (PPP) "will only suffer losses if it tries to obstruct and delay" the bill.
"We are pushing a supplementary budget because it is urgent, and we must not miss the golden time. The longer it is delayed, the greater the cost," Chung told reporters after a fishing experience at Ganggu Port in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province.
He said fishermen told him that the price of fuel oil is 174,000 won per drum and asked the government to cover 70% of any additional fuel cost increase if prices rise above 204,000 won. "I will relay this to the lawmaker in charge so that it can be reflected as much as possible in the supplementary budget deliberations," Chung said.
Chung headed out to the East Sea at around 1 a.m. the same day to experience fishing operations and listen to the concerns of fishermen. He spent about two hours helping with onboard work, including hauling in nets and sorting fish.
After completing the fishing trip, he held a meeting with officials from the Ganggu chapter of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup) and local fishermen. The fishermen requested an expansion of quotas for foreign crew members and budget support for modernizing auction facilities in the North Gyeongsang region. Chung said he would "look into the matter promptly and contact the head of the Suhyup chapter."
"I heard that when a boat has a crew of 10, six foreign crew members are allowed, and they want that raised by about one more," he said. "When you visit the field, you learn details you would never know from Yeouido," referring to the Seoul district where the National Assembly is located.
"It reminded me that the Lee Jae-myung administration must take care of even the smallest hardships of the people," he added.
Regarding his visit to North Gyeongsang Province, traditionally a conservative stronghold, Chung stressed, "The Democratic Party should visit difficult regions more often. In terms of ensuring all citizens live well equally and that the entire national territory develops in a balanced way, we must pay more attention and make greater efforts in areas we may have neglected."
