By Kim Hyo-jin
The second-largest opposition People’s Party decided to review the government’s supplementary budget bill Thursday, raising speculation it could be endorsed soon if the party supports it.
An 11.2 trillion won ($9.74 billion) extra budget aimed at job creation has been delayed amid a political standoff over President Moon Jae-in’s personnel appointments and the bill’s legality.
“We decided to return to the process of reviewing the extra budget bill,” floor spokesman Rep. Choi Myung-ghil said after a general meeting.
Choi said the party will also review the pending government reorganization bill and cooperate with the confirmation hearings of minister nominees.
The decision comes after Cheong Wa Dae expressed regrets over what the People’s Party views as offensive remarks made by ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae.
Choo earlier accused the People’s Party of protecting its senior members who she alleged played key roles in a scandal involving a smear campaign against then DPK candidate Moon during the presidential campaign using fabricated material.
This caused a strong backlash from the People’s Party as it claimed that the scandal had nothing to do with the party leadership. It started boycotting parliamentary sessions including a review of the extra budget bill and refused to approve Moon’s pick for defense minister, Song Young-moo and labor minister, Cho Dae-yop.
Choi said Cheong Wa Dae apologized for the political deadlock caused by Choo’s comment through presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok earlier in the day, and the party decided to end the boycott out of respect for the gesture.