국회, 오늘 558조원 규모 내년도 예산안 처리...6년만에 법정시한 지켜질까<br /><br />South Korea's rival political parties have reached agreement over the budget for next year, the revised bill will be put up for a full-floor vote in the coming hours.<br />If the budget worth some 500 billion U.S. dollars passes, it will be the first time in six years for the budget to be passed on time.<br />Choi Jeong-yoon has the details.<br />558 trillion-won, or roughly 504 billion U.S. dollars for 2021.<br />South Korea's biggest budget so far is to be put up for a full-floor vote on Wednesday afternoon.<br />This comes after the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party reached an agreement on Tuesday to pass the bill, with an additional increase of 2-point-2 trillion won from the initial proposal... in order to counter the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.<br />That extra amount will be covered by national bonds.<br />This was the first time in 11 years that the budget was higher than the proposal.<br />Three trillion won, or some 2.7 billion dollars will be allocated for a third round of assistance funds for small business owners and self-employed people hit hard by the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases.<br />The 2021 budget will also include 814 million dollars earmarked for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.<br />According to the ruling party, with the 300 million dollars already secured, it will be enough to provide vaccinations for 44-million people.<br />Other extra spending is aimed at stabilizing housing, expanding care facilities, and helping the country achieve the 2050 net zero carbon emissions targets.<br />But there were some cuts to funds related to 'Korean New Deal'.<br />Should the bill pass at the National Assembly's plenary session as planned, it will be the first time in six years that the budget has been passed on time.<br />Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.<br />
