South Korean Ruling and Opposition Parties Meet: Opposition Questions Luggage Transport Budget Targeting Only Chinese Tourists

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung today invited both ruling and opposition parties to a meeting at the Blue House, with attendees including Jung Chung-rae, representative of the ruling Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyuk, representative of the opposition People Power Party. According to detailed meeting documents from the Blue House today, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk expressed deep concern over the government's recently proposed 26 trillion won (approximately 554 billion New Taiwan dollars) supplementary budget for the Middle East situation. He stated, 'Of course, areas that need support should be supported, but if cash is distributed to 70% of the citizens, it could negatively impact prices and exchange rates. Short-term joy might lead to long-term suffering.' Jang Dong-hyuk also questioned parts of the supplementary budget, pointing out items such as 30.6 billion won for Chinese tourist luggage transport and 25 billion won for apartment balcony solar panel projects, stating, 'These budgets can be said to be completely inconsistent with the purpose of this supplementary budget.' Jang Dong-hyuk proposed that truck drivers and logistics personnel, whose livelihoods are genuinely threatened by oil prices, were excluded from support, and the support amount for the severely impacted agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and livestock industries was insufficient. He added, 'Our party proposes deleting unnecessary and inappropriate budgets and incorporating seven plans truly vital to the survival of the people. We hope the President will pay attention and ensure these items are included.' Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae responded that the People Power Party's naming of this supplementary budget was somewhat strange. The 'luggage transport budget' refers to foreign tourists worrying about how to take away many items they purchase. 'If we can help deliver them to the airport, they will buy more. Investing in this budget will lead to more consumption, which is actually cost-effective.' Regarding the controversy over parts of the supplementary budget, Lee Jae-myung stated, 'Representative Jang also seems to acknowledge that the supplementary budget is indeed very important, but he believes some of its contents are inappropriate.' Lee Jae-myung emphasized that since the current budget proposal is the government's opinion, it should be fully discussed by the National Assembly, and necessary parts can be increased, while unnecessary parts can be reduced and adjusted. Lee Jae-myung also questioned the 'luggage transport' item, asking, 'Is this only for Chinese people?' Jung Chung-rae supplemented, 'No, it's for the Chinese-speaking world.' Lee Jae-myung continued, 'If it really is limited to Chinese people, then let's remove it. However, I don't think such a thing would happen. This is a matter of fact, and such matters really need to be clarified through dialogue.' (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150407