Acting president delivers budget speech at Assembly for first time in 46 years

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers a policy speech on the need to allocate a supplementary budget during the plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivered a policy speech at the National Assembly Thursday, requesting cooperation on the government's proposed supplementary budget.

This was the first time in 46 years that an acting president of Korea delivered a budget policy speech at the National Assembly. The last instance was in November 1979, when then-acting President Choi Kyu-hah addressed the Assembly shortly after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee.

In his speech, which began at 10 a.m., Han emphasized the need to ease the burdens on small business owners and self-employed individuals amid a rapidly changing global landscape. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the country’s wildfire response capabilities.

The acting president requested budget allocations of 3.2 trillion won ($2.2 billion) for disaster and emergency response, 4.4 trillion won for trade and artificial intelligence development and 4.3 trillion won for measures aimed at stabilizing people’s livelihoods.

"For residents who lost their homes to wildfires, hope for a new beginning is desperately needed. In the fierce waves of global competition, securing sustainable competitiveness is urgent to prevent Korean industries and businesses from being stranded," Han said during the speech, underscoring that "in crisis response, timing is just as important as policy content."

In his address, Han said that the country's major crises, including the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, were all overcome through efforts grounded in the close communication and cooperation between the government and the National Assembly.

"I earnestly ask that the National Assembly swiftly review and pass the supplementary budget proposal submitted by the government so that it can serve as a strong support for the people and a valuable catalyst for the recovery and leap forward of our economy," he said.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik responds to the government's policy speech on the first supplementary budget for 2025 during the plenary session of the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. National Assembly press pool

Following Han’s address, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik rebuked the acting president, urging him to recognize the boundaries of his role and to distinguish between what an acting president should and should not do.

"As already confirmed by the ruling at the Constitutional Court, the view that the president and the acting president hold identical powers is a flawed notion that violates the Constitution," Woo said.

"I hope the acting president will clearly distinguish between what must be done as the acting president — such as attending National Assembly sessions to answer questions and recommending candidates for the permanent special prosecutor — and what must not be done, such as appointing Constitutional Court justices," he added.

People Power Party's floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, fourth from left in the front row, protests against National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, left at the podium, after he made remarks directed at acting President Han Duck-soo. National Assembly press pool

In response, members of the ruling People Power Party, including the conservative party's floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, stormed out in protest against the speaker, creating a scene in the chamber.