Pres. Moon calls for bipartisan support for 2019 budget

2019 예산안 시정연설: 문 대통령 포용국가론 '양극화해소, 체질개선' 중점

President Moon Jae-in delivered a speech on his budget proposal at the National Assembly.
He urged lawmakers to pass it as the funds will create jobs... and help make a fairer economy.
Shin Se-min has our top story.
President Moon Jae-in at the National Assembly for the third time since taking office in May last year.
He called on lawmakers to give bipartisan support to the government's budget proposal for next year, worth around 412 billion U.S. dollars, which is an increase from this year of 9-point-7 percent.
That call comes at a critical time... when the jobs situation and the general economic outlook has been heading south for months.
But the president hasn't given up on fundamentally changing the country's economic structure... with an aim to reduce economic and social polarization.
What the country needs, he said, is patience.
"It will take time to change the fundamental structure of our economy and to enjoy the fruits of that. What we have to do now is to reduce economic inequality and build a fairer and more integrated society. I believe that is the path to sustainable growth."
The president called for an active role for the public sector,... saying that it's important to use public finances to preempt the risk of an economic downturn and the loss of jobs.
Included in the budget proposal,... is a 22-percent boost to the budget for jobs and in funding to encourage innovative growth and nurture SMEs and venture firms.
Then the push for an "inclusive society."
"Our nation has to give people the security of knowing they can rely on the social safety net and welfare programs. No individual in our country should be discriminated against."
And through that, the president said,... Korea will become an "inclusive" nation in which everyone prospers together.

"Despite President Moon's unchanging goal of building a people-centered economy,... the country's economic prospects are likely to remain grim for the near future. And with the Moon administration’s previous budget and extra spending yet to bear fruit,... winning bipartisan support for a growing budget looks to be a difficult task.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."