By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak instructed the Cabinet, Thursday, to set up a provisional budget and other contingency plans if the National Assembly fails to endorse next year's budget bill this month.

He criticized the main opposition Democratic Party for blocking the passage of the budget proposal in opposition to the four-river restoration project, which accounts for 1.2 percent of the proposed government spending for 2010.

Lee said he will convene a special Cabinet meeting on Jan. 1 if the budget bill is not approved in time.

The provisional budget would be the first of its kind since the system was introduced in 1960 and would ensure continued government spending in the event that the National Assembly is unable to meet its deadline for endorsement.

Under the measure, the government is allowed to spend within the range of its budget for the previous year.

The Assembly missed its initial deadline to vote on the proposed bill during its 100-day regular session that ended Dec. 9.

Parties began a special session the following day to discuss the budget, but wrangling has become fierce between the governing and opposition parties over the controversial project to refurbish four major rivers nationwide.

The government plans to spend $19 billion by 2013 on the plan. The DP has demanded a significant cut in the budget, saying the project will take funding away from welfare and education.

"We need to map out contingency plans in the event the bill is not approved by year's end," Lee said during a policy coordination meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.

"We may have to consider setting up a provisional budget and delay payment of salaries to public servants."

jj@koreatimes.co.kr