국회 본회의서 2019년 예산안 처리…야3당 공동 규탄대회<br /><br />It's long overdue but the National Assembly is set to vote on the 2019 budget plan later today.<br />On Thursday, the two main parties reached an agreement to settle the revised version of the spending bill.<br />However, that deal was criticized by minor opposition blocs as it did not include their demand to overhaul how elections are conducted.<br />We connect to our parliamentary correspondent Kim Min-ji.<br />Min-ji, how are things looking?<br />Daniel, a plenary session convened just about half an hour ago -- rescheduled from 4pm this afternoon.<br />Rival parties are at the moment voting on some 200 pending bills related to people's livelihoods.<br />Now, once they're done with that,.... they plan to adjourn the session until the budget bill is ready for a full floor vote.<br />The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party reached an agreement on Thursday to vote on the revised budget today.<br />However, it's unclear just exactly when it will pass -- given the work that still needs to be done.<br />What we do know at the moment is that there will be a cut to the proposed spending set aside for inter-Korean projects and job creation.<br />There will be an increase for infrastructure, as well as for the budget that will be used to tackle the low birth rate issue.<br />The budget isn't a total win for either party,... but they're happy they can settle the bill before the end of parliament's 100-day regular session, which closes this week.<br />But the agreement did not include commitment to reforming the country's electoral system -- something that the minor parties had been demanding.<br />So i guess it's a mixed situation there at the moment. <br />Are we in for a bit of stalemate?<br />Well, the minor opposition parties have started an indefinite period of sit-in demonstrations,... with some party chairs even on a hunger strike.<br />They had been seeking a commitment to revamping the electoral system as a condition for passing the budget.<br />They want to adopt a new proportional representation system -- under which seats would be allocated based on the proportion of the vote won by each party.<br />But, the ruling and main opposition parties said that it's matter than needs to be dealt with separately.<br />The minor opposition parties accused the bigger parties of collusion to prioritize their vested interests over the people's wishes.<br />It's unclear whether the minor opposition will cooperate in the budget's passage,... but even without them, they together have enough seats in parliament to pass the budget.<br />If passed, it comes five days after the legal deadline of December second.<br />Back to you, Daniel. <br />
