Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), slammed the government's supplementary budget on Wednesday as a "misdiagnosed budget" and "fake budget," saying "the diagnosis is high oil prices, but the prescription is cash handouts."
At a party policy meeting held at the National Assembly, Song said, "The most desperate groups have been neglected as the focus shifted to cash handouts."
"We will transform this supplementary budget from a 'war-excuse budget' and 'election budget' into a 'people's survival budget,'" he said. "We will make a full shift from cash handouts to targeted support."
Song stressed that "budget items unrelated to high oil prices that were inserted into the bill will be boldly eliminated during the review process," adding that "representative programs that do not align with the supplementary budget's purpose — such as renewable energy projects, independent film production subsidies, and artist support — will be subject to cuts."
He said the freed-up funds would be redirected to programs that directly support citizens hardest hit by high oil prices. His proposals included:
△ Expanding the fuel tax cut to 30%
△ Providing 600,000 won in fuel subsidies to truck drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery workers
△ Extending the same subsidy to livelihood freight vehicle operators
△ Supporting packaging material costs for small business owners
△ Cutting K-Pass fares by 50% for six months
△ Raising the monthly rent subsidy cap for young people
△ Pursuing a second round of special homeownership loans for young people
Song also urged the government to fully reconsider its "odd-even vehicle plate" driving restriction policy. "If the government insists on implementing it, adequate compensation commensurate with the public's sacrifice must be guaranteed," he said, adding that "compensation should include practical support such as automobile tax relief and installment payment assistance."