By Lee Min-hyung
Rep. Woo Yoon-keun, floor leader of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), Friday called for the need to reduce next year's government budget for the "creative economy," President Park Geun-hye's flagship economic policy.
"I will make all efforts to prepare a budget bill to improve the livelihood of the people by cutting unnecessary spending that wastes taxpayers' money," said Woo.
His comment came as the National Assembly is currently conducting its budget deliberations for next year.
The creative economy is what President Park believes could stimulate the nation's sluggish economy by fostering an environment with emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.
This includes measures such as nurturing business start-ups, which critics argue is not too different from the policies set up by the Small and Medium Business Administration.
Woo also criticized Samsung heirs for taking excessive profits.
"With Samsung SDS listed on the local stock market Friday, three heirs to Samsung will receive ill-gotten profit of some 7 trillion won ($6.3 billion) at a time when most households here are facing an economic crisis," he said.
He argued the ruling Saenuri Party is just overlooking the issue without accepting the opposition's proposal to discuss it.
"With only 18 days left to meet the deadline for deliberation of next year's budget bill, the ruling party is evading responsibility," he said.
Woo also stressed that public welfare should first be considered when it comes to devising a budget plan.
"Public welfare and safety should be taken into account in drawing up the plan. To prevent the government budget from being wasted, we need to prepare resources for public safety and help stabilize the people's livelihood," he added.
Rep. Woo Yoon-keun, floor leader of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), Friday called for the need to reduce next year's government budget for the "creative economy," President Park Geun-hye's flagship economic policy.
"I will make all efforts to prepare a budget bill to improve the livelihood of the people by cutting unnecessary spending that wastes taxpayers' money," said Woo.
His comment came as the National Assembly is currently conducting its budget deliberations for next year.
The creative economy is what President Park believes could stimulate the nation's sluggish economy by fostering an environment with emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.
This includes measures such as nurturing business start-ups, which critics argue is not too different from the policies set up by the Small and Medium Business Administration.
Woo also criticized Samsung heirs for taking excessive profits.
"With Samsung SDS listed on the local stock market Friday, three heirs to Samsung will receive ill-gotten profit of some 7 trillion won ($6.3 billion) at a time when most households here are facing an economic crisis," he said.
He argued the ruling Saenuri Party is just overlooking the issue without accepting the opposition's proposal to discuss it.
"With only 18 days left to meet the deadline for deliberation of next year's budget bill, the ruling party is evading responsibility," he said.
Woo also stressed that public welfare should first be considered when it comes to devising a budget plan.
"Public welfare and safety should be taken into account in drawing up the plan. To prevent the government budget from being wasted, we need to prepare resources for public safety and help stabilize the people's livelihood," he added.
