Jung vows fast-track budget to tackle crisis

Mar 27, 2026, 10:14 am

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Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, calls for participation in a policy campaign during a supreme council meeting in Sejong on March 27. / Yonhap

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pledged on March 27 to swiftly pass a supplementary budget aimed at addressing the ongoing economic and energy crisis.

Speaking at a party leadership meeting in Sejong, Jung said the government and ruling party had agreed to formulate an emergency budget of around 25 trillion won to respond to what he described as a “triple crisis” of high oil prices, a weak currency, and rising inflation.

“The supplementary budget is like an economic oxygen mask, and timing is critical,” he said. “We will ensure it is passed as quickly as possible to help stabilize people’s livelihoods.”

Jung added that the government is preparing comprehensive measures to minimize damage to exporters and ensure stable supplies of key materials such as naphtha, rare earths, and urea solution.

He also urged public participation in energy-saving efforts, including a vehicle rationing system based on license plate numbers.

“Government efforts alone are not enough,” Jung said. “I will not use my car on Mondays and will take public transportation instead. I ask the public to join in energy-saving efforts to overcome the crisis.”

Marking West Sea Defense Day, Jung paid tribute to fallen service members and emphasized the need to strengthen national defense.

He also reiterated the party’s commitment to advancing legislation to grant Sejong City legal status as the administrative capital.

Additionally, Jung promoted the party’s bottom-up policy initiative, noting that nearly 3,000 proposals had already been submitted, and called for greater public participation.

He warned party members against complacency ahead of the upcoming local elections, pledging strict measures against behavior that could harm the party’s campaign and urging candidates to remain humble and attentive to public expectations.

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