Main opposition floor leader Rep. Woo Yoon-keun on Wednesday called on the ruling party to form a negotiating group to resolve the row over the welfare budget.
Since the budget review began, the parties have locked horns over the budgets for welfare. The ruling Saenuri Party and the government argue that priority funding should be given to selected projects, while the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy is calling for means to fund all major projects including free school meals and child care for young children.
“(The NPAD) formally suggests to the Saenuri Party the formation of a 4-plus-4 negotiation group for securing a budget for duty-welfare,” Woo said, saying that welfare was “the people’s basic right, and duty of the state.” Since the row over the welfare budget broke out, the main opposition has taken to referring to related projects as “duty-welfare” in an apparent attempt to separate them from the negative connotations of “free welfare.”
The proposed negotiating group would consist of the two parties’ policy committee chiefs, and lead lawmakers on the parliamentary committees on strategy and finance, health and welfare, and education.
Woo also said the government’s 2015 budget plans were riddled with holes, including an additional 1.2 trillion won ($1.1 billion) allocated to illusive creative economy projects, and 25 trillion won for various projects that are overfunded.
“Our assessment is that over 5 trillion won can be saved without affecting the government’s plans. The ruling and opposition parties’ cooperation in securing a welfare budget is politics for the people, and the real people’s livelihood.”
The term “people’s livelihood” used in the political circles refers to policies aimed at improving economic aspects of life for the general public.
The ruling Saenuri Party, however, appears unlikely to accept Woo’s suggestion.
Saying that free child care for young children, which was one of President Park Geun-hye’s election pledges, and means to raise funding for the project are stated in various laws, Saenuri Party spokesman Park Dae-chul argued that metropolitan and provincial education offices must allocate funds for the program.
“Free child care is also necessary for resolving the low birthrate problem, so it is an issue for the present but also for the future. If the budget (for child care) falls short, then a tighter education budget is needed,” Park said.
“Welfare is money. Free welfare cannot be limitless. Welfare that drains the country’s finances is bad welfare. Welfare that leaves debt for future generations is bad welfare. Welfare that does not follow the law is bad welfare.”
Saenuri Party deputy floor leader Rep. Kim Jae-won expressed concerns over Woo’s suggestion, saying that forming the body could delay the budget review and spark “unnecessary political strife.”
By Choi He-suk ()
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
